1
a(1)
: of, relating to, resembling, or having a graph that is a line and especially a straight line : straight
(2)
: involving a single dimension
b(1)
: of the first degree with respect to one or more variables
(2)
: of, relating to, based on, or being linear equations, linear differential equations, linear functions, linear transformations, or linear algebra
c(1)
: characterized by an emphasis on line
linear art
(2)
: composed of simply drawn lines with little attempt at pictorial representation
linear script
d
: consisting of a straight chain of atoms
a linear molecule
2
: elongated with nearly parallel sides
linear leaf
see leaf illustration
3
: having or being a response or output that is directly proportional to the input
4
: of, relating to, or based or depending on sequential development
linear thinking
a linear narrative
Examples of linear in a Sentence
a flat, almost linear horizon
the bullets from early firearms were notorious for not following a strictly linear path through the air
Recent Examples on the Web
Who knows where the progress that Haiti was making on its own linear path would have taken it?
—
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025
Comcast late last year announced plans to spin off its cable outlets, including the progressive cable channel, as the company, like many others, takes major losses on its linear television assets and looks to retool itself around digital and streaming offerings.
—Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
Notably, that linear viewership led the original hour of The Voice (the first hour was a recap) by 690,000 viewers, which is American Idol‘s largest margin of victory head-to-head with the NBC competition series in over seven years.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2025
The prospect of cleaning it all in a linear and structured approach, which could take years, can be overwhelming, leading many to delay, or avoid GenAI initiatives altogether.
—Karl Moore, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for linear
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Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025
Comcast late last year announced plans to spin off its cable outlets, including the progressive cable channel, as the company, like many others, takes major losses on its linear television assets and looks to retool itself around digital and streaming offerings.
—Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
Notably, that linear viewership led the original hour of The Voice (the first hour was a recap) by 690,000 viewers, which is American Idol‘s largest margin of victory head-to-head with the NBC competition series in over seven years.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2025
The prospect of cleaning it all in a linear and structured approach, which could take years, can be overwhelming, leading many to delay, or avoid GenAI initiatives altogether.
—Karl Moore, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for linear
Cite this Entry
“Linear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linear. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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