- line
- line line [laɪn] noun [countable]1. also product line MARKETING a type of product that a company makes or sells, often with several different sizes, models etc; = RANGE:
• It continues to get about two-thirds of its revenue from this one product, despite repeated efforts to diversify its product line (= develop new products ) .
• Hasbro, the maker of the G.I. Joe line of dolls
a complete range of products, with a product for each type of use or user:• They designed a full line of heaters, from floorstanding to wall-mounted.
2. MANUFACTURING a team of people who work together, each doing a different job but working to achieve the same thingUS /laɪn/ noun [C]► COMMERCE a range of similar products: »There are discounts on many items from our older lines.
»As with other books in this publisher's line, this one is written for a popular audience.
»I showed them all our new product lines.
line of sth »The company's spring line of handbags is wonderful.
lines of bonds/stocks/shares »The state is selling three lines of bonds.
► PRODUCTION a system of making goods in which a worker repeatedly does the same tasks on every item and then passes it to the next worker: »The first year they had me on the line putting wheels on Cadillacs.
assembly/processing/production line »Eight additional production lines were installed in the town's only factory.
»a line foreman/supervisor
► COMMUNICATIONS a connection to a telephone or data system: »I'm afraid your phone line has been disconnected.
»The company's first fibre-optic lines were installed in 1998.
»Keep the lines open in case the boss calls with a final decision.
on the line »Mike Saunders is on the line for you.
► a connection to a public service for water, liquid waste, or electricity: »Power transmission lines were out for three weeks after the hurricane.
»Interference from the electric lines caused the equipment to malfunction.
»Construction workers installed a water line where Walnut Avenue and First Street intersect.
► a series of people that follow each other in time: »He comes from a long line of entrepreneurs.
► a series of people in order of importance: the first/second, etc. in line »He is second in line to take over the company.
► someone's job, industry, or area of activity: »""What line of work are you in?"" ""I'm a professor.""
»You meet some very interesting people in my line of business.
► BANKING a way of getting money: line of credit/revenue »Your bank can raise your line of credit if you have a good payment history.
► a group of people or things arranged in a row: march/stand/wait in line »If you don't like standing in line, do your part to make sure you're an efficient customer.
► TRANSPORT a company that transports people or goods: a railway/shipping line »The shipping line carried fewer containers last year
→ See also AIRLINE(Cf. ↑airline), ASSEMBLY LINE(Cf. ↑assembly line), BOTTOM LINE(Cf. ↑bottom line), CREDIT LINE(Cf. ↑credit line), FIXED-LINE(Cf. ↑fixed-line), FULL LINE(Cf. ↑full line), HELPLINE(Cf. ↑helpline), LANDLINE(Cf. ↑landline), OFFLINE(Cf. ↑offline), ONLINE(Cf. ↑online) adverb, PRODUCTION LINE(Cf. ↑production line), WIRELINE(Cf. ↑wireline)Ⅱ.line UK US /laɪn/ verb [T]
Financial and business terms. 2012.