lane

1 of 2

noun

1
: a narrow passageway between fences or hedges
2
: a relatively narrow way or track: such as
a
: an ocean route used by or prescribed for ships
b
: a strip of roadway for a single line of vehicles
c
d
: any of several parallel courses on a track or swimming pool in which a competitor must stay during a race
e
: an unmarked lengthwise division of a playing area which defines the playing zone of a particular player
f
: a narrow hardwood surface having pins at one end and a gutter along each side that is used in bowling

lane

2 of 2

Scottish variant of lone

Examples of lane in a Sentence

Noun The truck's driver kept changing lanes. She moved to the outside lane.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
One lane is closed from 135th Street to 151st Street on southbound US-69. Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2025 Swish a floater in the lane to essentially ice things, only to be called upon to drill a pair of free throws seconds later because LeBron James nearly willed Los Angeles back into it? Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2025 From the lane, Durant moves to the left wing and fires midrange jumpers. Doug Haller, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025 The vehicle’s size at 2.2 meters wide is prohibitive too as most town or country lanes are just 3 meters wides. Peter Lyon, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lane

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English lanu; akin to Middle Dutch lane lane

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lane was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Lane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lane. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

lane

noun
ˈlān
1
: a narrow way or road usually between fences, hedges, or buildings
2
: a somewhat narrow way or track: as
a
: an ocean route for ships
also : air lane
b
: a strip of roadway for a single line of vehicles
c
: a bowling alley

Biographical Definition

Lane

biographical name

Edward William 1801–1876 English orientalist

More from Merriam-Webster on lane

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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