WordGarden.ioalignment
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /əlˈaɪnmənt/
US
- /əˈlaɪnmənt/
Meanings
Noun
agreement or coordination between goals, values, interests, or actions
the arrangement of things along a line or in correct relative position
political or diplomatic support for a party, bloc, state, or cause
More meaningsFewer meanings
the adjustment of wheels, parts, or components so they are positioned correctly
the matching of corresponding elements across sequences, texts, data, or model behavior
Beyond the definition
Alignment isn't just about lining things up perfectly—though it can be! It's about how things relate to each other, whether physically (like the wheels of a car needing alignment) or conceptually. Think of aligning your actions with your values: you're making sure they work together. A good team needs alignment—everyone working toward the same goal. Sometimes, alignment happens by chance, like planets aligning in the sky. Other times, it takes effort and intention to achieve alignment.
Imagine a skilled archer. They focus on perfect alignment—body, bow, arrow, and target—to hit their mark. Or picture a group of dancers moving in perfect alignment, creating a beautiful, unified performance. Alignment is about harmony and purpose.
Alignment refers to the state of being in a proper position or of working together effectively. It's a surprisingly versatile word with meanings that stretch from the physical world to abstract concepts.
At its most basic, alignment describes how things are arranged in relation to each other. A mechanic talks about wheel alignment to ensure your car drives straight. An astronomer studies planetary alignments, where celestial bodies appear to line up in the sky. In design, visual alignment is crucial for creating a clean and organized look.
In writing and layout, alignment can also mean how text or images line up—left-aligned, centered, right-aligned, and so on.
But alignment goes beyond physical positioning. It also describes agreement or conformity. When you say two people are "in alignment" on a project, it means they share the same goals and understanding. Political parties seek alignment with voters by appealing to their values. A company might talk about "strategic alignment," meaning its different departments are all working toward the same overall business objectives.
You can even align yourself internally—aligning your actions with your beliefs, or finding alignment between your career and your passions. This suggests a sense of purpose and harmony within oneself.
So whether it's about physical arrangement, shared goals, or inner consistency, alignment is all about bringing things into harmonious order and ensuring they work together effectively. It's the key to smooth operation, successful collaboration, and a feeling of being on the right path.
Examples
- 1
Home repair
Check the alignment of the shelves before you drill the holes.
- 2
Page layout
The text is slightly out of alignment on the page.
- Phraseout of alignment
not in the correct position
- 3
Car repair
The mechanic said the car needed a wheel alignment after we hit the curb.
- Domainwheel alignment
adjusting the wheels so they point in the right direction
- 4
Team coordination
We need better alignment between the sales and marketing teams.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Company goals
Her decision was in alignment with the company’s long-term goals.
- Patternin alignment with + goal/plan
matching or supporting it
- 6
Negotiation
After weeks of talks, the two sides finally came into alignment on the budget.
- Patterncome into alignment on + issue
reach the same position about it
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- wheel alignment
- proper alignment
- text alignment
- spinal alignment
Word family
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Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- alignmentnoun
Forms
- alignmentspluralnoun