redline

1 of 2

noun

red·​line ˈred-ˈlīn How to pronounce redline (audio)
: a recommended safety limit : the fastest, farthest, or highest point or degree considered safe
also : the red line which marks this point on a gauge

redline

2 of 2

verb

red·​line ˈred-ˌlīn How to pronounce redline (audio) -ˈlīn How to pronounce redline (audio)
redlined; redlining; redlines

intransitive verb

: to withhold home-loan funds or insurance from neighborhoods considered poor economic risks

transitive verb

: to discriminate against in housing or insurance

Examples of redline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Take the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission’s shifts into your own hands with the paddles behind the wheel to keep the howling V8 near the redline, click the manettino drive mode switch into Race, and this GT transforms into a vicious back-road-devouring beast. Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 17 May 2024 Meanwhile, Jordanians have broken long-standing redlines by marching on the Israeli embassy, and Saudi Arabia has refused to resume normalization talks with Israel, in part because of its people’s deep fury over Israel’s operations in the Gaza Strip. Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for redline 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'redline.' 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

1952, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1968, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of redline was in 1952

Dictionary Entries Near redline

Cite this Entry

“Redline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/redline. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on redline

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!