WordGarden.ioclothesline
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /klˈəʊðslaɪn/
US
- /ˈkloʊðzlaɪn/noun
Meanings
Noun
a rope or wire used for hanging laundry to dry
a forceful arm strike or tackle that knocks someone down
Verb
to knock someone down with an outstretched arm or similar obstruction
Beyond the definition
A clothesline is exactly what it sounds like: a rope, wire, or cord stretched between two points (usually outdoors). You hang wet clothes on it so they can dry in the sun and open air. It's a simple, eco-friendly alternative to using a tumble dryer. Think of Grandma's backyard on a sunny day, filled with flapping laundry and the fresh scent of clean linen—that's often where you'll find a clothesline. While many modern homes rely on indoor drying racks or electric dryers, some people still prefer the old-fashioned charm (and cost savings) of a clothesline.
The term also has a more physical meaning in sports like (pro) wrestling, and it sometimes shows up in descriptions of contact sports like American football. To "clothesline" someone is to knock them down by hitting them across the upper chest or neck with a stiff, outstretched arm—like running into a line stretched across your path.
A clothesline is a length of rope, wire (often plastic-coated), or other material pulled taut between two points—typically posts, trees, or buildings—used for hanging laundry to dry. For generations, it was the way families dried their clothes before the widespread adoption of electric dryers. A sunny day and a gentle breeze are a clothesline's best friends, naturally freshening fabrics and saving energy.
Historically, clotheslines were commonplace in most yards, representing domesticity and resourcefulness. Today, while less common due to convenience and aesthetic preferences (some neighborhoods even have restrictions on visible laundry!), they're experiencing a resurgence as people seek more sustainable living practices. You might see them strung across backyards, shared between neighbors, or even cleverly designed retractable lines for smaller spaces.
Beyond its practical use, "clothesline" is frequently used as a verb in an athletic context. It describes a forceful maneuver where an athlete extends their arm horizontally to intercept an opponent, catching them across the throat or upper chest. This imagery—of a sudden, invisible barrier halting someone's progress—is a vivid extension of the word's literal meaning.
So whether you're picturing colorful laundry flapping in the breeze, appreciating a sustainable lifestyle, or describing a high-impact sports play, the word "clothesline" evokes images of utility, simplicity, and unexpected strength.
Examples
- 1
Laundry
She hung the wet towels on the clothesline before lunch.
- 2
Bad weather
It started to rain, so we ran outside to take the sheets off the clothesline.
- 3
Sports collision
The receiver was almost clotheslined by a defender in the final minute.
- Domainin sports, be clotheslined
be hit hard across the neck or upper chest
See also
Similar
- washing line
- laundry line
- drying line
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- clothes dryer
- drying rack
Used with (collocations)
- hang clothes on the clothesline
- take clothes off the clothesline
- clothesline pole
- clothesline pins
Explore
- clothespin
- air drying
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- clotheslinenoun