clothesline

1 of 2

noun

clothes·​line ˈklōz-ˌlīn How to pronounce clothesline (audio)
 also  ˈklōt͟hz-
: a line (as of cord) on which clothes may be hung to dry

clothesline

2 of 2

verb

clotheslined; clotheslining; clotheslines

transitive verb

: to knock down (someone, such as a football player) by catching by the neck with an outstretched arm

Examples of clothesline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Inspired by the real Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, this fictional version of the ‘80s series sees the pair work out their relationship through clotheslines and powerbombs. Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 30 Jan. 2024 It can also be used to tie down your ATV or as a clothesline. Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 Anyone so frantically prolific was bound to run into the clothesline of public opinion at some point. Ian Volner, Curbed, 6 Mar. 2023 Frequent campers, backpackers, and cruisers know the benefits of having a reliable and easy-to-use portable clothesline. Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023 The eldest daughter, who is seventeen, wore only shorts and a sports bra, until one of the militants grabbed a t-shirt from a clothesline and handed it to her. Ruth Margalit, The New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2023 In another part of the video, people are seen living in tent camps, where laundry is hung on clotheslines, and crowded streets are packed with cars loaded with belongings. NBC News, 10 Dec. 2023 Dozens of tents line the sidewalk outside the Sheraton Gateway and Four Points Sheraton LAX; over the tents dangle string lights and clotheslines festooned with laundry, including lacy lingerie and baby onesies. Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2023 Hanging loops snap shut and can be used to securely hang the towel from a pack loop or clothesline for drying on the road or trail. Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2023
Verb
Kevin McHale famously clotheslined Kurt Rambis in Game 4 of the 1984 Finals and was called for a common foul. Shawn Windsor, Detroit Free Press, 19 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clothesline.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clothesline was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near clothesline

Cite this Entry

“Clothesline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clothesline. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

clothesline

noun
clothes·​line
-ˌlīn
: a line (as of cord) on which clothes may be hung to dry
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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