Centerline Meaning
/ˈsɛntərlaɪn/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA line down the center of a road, generally one that divides traffic moving in opposite directions.
nounA line, either demarcated or imagined, representing the precise center (middle) of something (such that what lies on one side of it is precisely equal in size to what lies on the other side); the central axis represented by this line.
Sentence Examples
The centerline of the road was marked clearly.
The engineer drew a centerline on the blueprint.
The driver kept the car aligned with the yellow centerline of the road.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The highway department painted a yellow ____ down the middle of the road.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The driver must stay to the right of the yellow ____ on the road today.
Word Origin & History
From center + line.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"It is particularly confusing when the motorist is channelized across the highway centerline. For long-term closures conflicting pavement markings must be removed or obliterated before relaning the roadway."
— 1978, US Department of Transportation, Traffic control for street and highway construction and maintenance operations:
"You might already know that, I don't know, but since you are training at home I didn't want you to be weaving wildly on each side of the rope - the goal is to pop up as tight as possible to the center line."
— 2005 July 31, Vovchanchyn Fan, “Re: Bob and weaving drill”, in Sherdog Forums:
"take his lead leg out from under him. Just dont it when he is going for a power jab, just make sure your heads out of the center line"
— 2006 January 3, Justin Pressley, “Re: having problems whilst sparring”, in Sherdog Forums:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The highway department painted a yellow ____ down the middle of the road.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The driver must stay to the right of the yellow ____ on the road today.