lane
- 01 A2 Elementary
one of the parallel parts of a large road, marked with lines for a single row of vehicles.
a longitudinal division of a carriageway intended for a single line of vehicles and typically demarcated by road markings.
Simple“You should stay in the left lane unless you are overtaking another car.”
In context“The highway expansion project added a dedicated high-occupancy vehicle lane to mitigate peak-hour congestion for commuters.”
- 02 A2 Elementary
a narrow road, especially in the countryside or between buildings.
a narrow rural road or a restricted urban thoroughfare, often lacking a central dividing line.
Simple“The car drove slowly down the narrow country lane lined with tall trees.”
In context“We spent the afternoon wandering through the winding lanes of the old town, discovering hidden courtyards and artisan workshops.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
a marked path for a single runner in a race or a swimmer in a pool.
a designated parallel course for a competitor in a race, such as in athletics or competitive swimming.
Simple“The fastest runner usually starts the race in the middle lane.”
In context“The swimmer was disqualified after drifting into the adjacent lane during the final lap of the medley.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
a fixed route that ships or planes must follow.
a prescribed route for maritime or aerial navigation, designed to ensure safety and traffic management.
Simple“The cargo ship followed the busy shipping lane across the Atlantic Ocean.”
In context“Air traffic controllers monitored the commercial flight lanes closely to ensure minimum separation distances were maintained during the storm.”
- 05 B1 Intermediate
the long, narrow wooden floor where you roll a bowling ball.
the long, narrow wooden or synthetic surface along which a bowling ball is delivered toward the pins.
Simple“We booked two lanes at the bowling alley for my birthday party.”
In context“The professional bowler complained that the oil pattern on the lane was inconsistent, affecting the ball's hook potential.”
Synonyms - 06 C1 Advanced
one of the main paths on a map in certain video games.
a primary path on a MOBA map that connects the opposing bases and serves as a conduit for non-player characters.
Simple“The team lost the match because they didn't defend the bottom lane well.”
In context“Effective communication between players is essential when rotating between lanes to counter an enemy ambush.”
“Police said 1,277 parking tickets were also issued to vehicles parked in bike lanes.”
“Many cars and not enough lanes is a recipe for traffic jams.”
As an English surname, from lane; as an Irish surname, from several origins, including Laighin. See Lane.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.