# liner

/ˈɫaɪnɝ/ (US) · /lˈaɪnɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/liner
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a large ship

noun · CEFR B1

a very large ship used for carrying many passengers across the ocean.

For teachers: a large commercial passenger ship, especially one operating on a regular scheduled route.

- The luxury liner sailed across the Atlantic in just five days.
- The golden age of the ocean liner saw massive vessels competing for the Blue Riband, a trophy awarded for the fastest transatlantic crossing.

### 2. a protective layer

noun · CEFR B2

a layer of material placed inside something to protect it or keep it clean.

For teachers: a removable or permanent internal lining designed to protect the outer structure or contain contents.

- You should put a plastic liner in the bin to make it easier to empty.
- The technician replaced the cylinder liner to ensure the internal combustion engine maintained optimal compression during operation.

### 3. makeup

noun · CEFR B1

a type of makeup used to draw a line around the eyes or lips.

For teachers: a cosmetic preparation, such as eyeliner or lipliner, applied to define the contours of the eyes or mouth.

- She used a black liner to make her eyes look more dramatic for the party.
- The makeup artist recommended a waterproof liner to prevent smudging during the long outdoor photo shoot.

### 4. in compounds

noun · CEFR B2

used with a number to describe how many lines a joke or a story has.

For teachers: used in combination to denote an item, typically a joke or a written piece, consisting of a specified number of lines.

- He is famous for his funny one-liners that make everyone laugh instantly.
- The comedian's set was comprised entirely of rapid-fire one-liners, leaving the audience little time to recover between jokes.

### 5. baseball

noun · CEFR C1 · American English

a ball that is hit very hard and low in a straight line.

For teachers: a batted ball that travels low and fast in a line nearly parallel to the ground.

- The batter hit a sharp liner right to the shortstop.
- The pitcher narrowly avoided the liner, which screamed past his ear at over a hundred miles per hour.

## Examples

- The luxury liner docked at the harbor this morning.
- Before the age of commercial flight, the only way to cross the Atlantic was by passenger liner.
- The golden age of the ocean liner saw massive vessels competing for the Blue Riband, a trophy awarded for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.