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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Seth Rollins bumped into the official and came back with a Dean Ambrose clothesline. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Nineteen states have passed right-to-dry laws that prevent HOAs from banning outdoor clotheslines. — Daniel Kramer, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
Her own coach rushed to come to the defense of DiJonai Carrington after Carrington clotheslined her, leading to a bloody mouth. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026 Femi miraculously bounced right back to his feet and clotheslined Lesnar to the outside. — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clothesline

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

Browse Nearby Words

clotheshorse
clothesline
clothes louse
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clothesline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clothesline. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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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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