Lane
/leɪn/
Definitions
3 meaningsA narrow road, especially in the countryside.
/leɪn/
A narrow road, especially in a rural area.
We took a leisurely walk down a peaceful country lane.
💡 Simply: Imagine a little, quiet road, maybe between fields or trees. That's a lane! It's not a big highway, just a smaller way to get around.
👶 For kids: A small road in the country.
More Examples
The lane was so narrow, the car barely fit through.
How It's Used
"The old country lane was lined with wildflowers."
"They drove down a winding country lane."
A marked division of a road for a single line of traffic.
/leɪn/
A marked section of a road for a single line of traffic.
The accident blocked two lanes of the highway.
💡 Simply: Imagine the lines on the road that keep cars separated. That's a lane! Each lane has space for cars to drive side-by-side.
👶 For kids: A space on the road where cars drive.
More Examples
Stay in your lane and don't change without signaling.
How It's Used
"The highway had three lanes in each direction."
"Swimmers were assigned to different lanes in the pool."
A marked division in a pool, track, or other sports area, where competitors are assigned
/leɪn/
A marked section of a swimming pool, track, or other sports area
The swimmer was disqualified for crossing into another lane.
💡 Simply: Imagine each swimmer has their own space to swim in the pool, marked by lines. That's a lane! It's like separate little roads just for swimming.
👶 For kids: A separate part for swimming or running.
More Examples
The track athletes lined up in their designated lanes.
How It's Used
"Swimmers were assigned to different lanes in the pool."
"The runner sprinted down the lane."
Idioms & expressions
in the fast lane
Living a fast-paced, exciting, and often ambitious life.
"She's living in the fast lane, juggling a demanding career and social life."
down the lane
A metaphor for moving forward with something or progressing with a goal.
"We're moving further down the lane of research to see what we can find."
From Old English *lanu, *lane* 'narrow way, track', related to *hlæne* 'smooth'. Its development reflects a narrowing from a broader sense of 'road' to specifically a 'division of a road'.
The word "lane" has been used since the Old English period, originally referring to any narrow road, evolving to its current meanings.
Memory tip
Think of a small, winding road in the countryside.