plumb line
noun
1
: a line (as of cord) that has at one end a weight (such as a plumb bob) and is used especially to determine verticality
2
: a line directed to the center of gravity of the earth : a vertical line
Examples of plumb line in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Instead of standing with the verticality of a plumb line, there’s a slight arc to my torso.
—
John Haskell,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
His dedication to the integrity of his craft runs like a plumb line through his career.
—
Wendell Steavenson,
Vogue,
5 Jan. 2025
The vertical distance from the front tip of a stair nosing to the top of the railing in a plumb line should be between 34 and 38 inches.
—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
30 Nov. 2024
No one knew what kinda plumb line–astrolabe–compass had brought them to land.
—
Lawrence Jackson,
Harper's Magazine,
10 July 2023
Conceived around the simple concept of a plumb line, the pieces play with the house’s signature use of negative space, with typical restraint.
—
Sarah Royce-Greensill,
Robb Report,
27 Jan. 2023
Every two weeks, a dam employee enters one of the four concrete intake towers and lowers a plumb line down to the water level to take an exact measurement.
—
Joshua Partlow,
Anchorage Daily News,
29 June 2022
Since that's often not the case, Rees recommends drawing a plumb line, basically a guideline to ensure your wallpaper is aligned.
—
Hadley Keller,
House Beautiful,
4 Dec. 2020
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John Haskell,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
His dedication to the integrity of his craft runs like a plumb line through his career.
—
Wendell Steavenson,
Vogue,
5 Jan. 2025
The vertical distance from the front tip of a stair nosing to the top of the railing in a plumb line should be between 34 and 38 inches.
—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
30 Nov. 2024
No one knew what kinda plumb line–astrolabe–compass had brought them to land.
—
Lawrence Jackson,
Harper's Magazine,
10 July 2023
Conceived around the simple concept of a plumb line, the pieces play with the house’s signature use of negative space, with typical restraint.
—
Sarah Royce-Greensill,
Robb Report,
27 Jan. 2023
Every two weeks, a dam employee enters one of the four concrete intake towers and lowers a plumb line down to the water level to take an exact measurement.
—
Joshua Partlow,
Anchorage Daily News,
29 June 2022
Since that's often not the case, Rees recommends drawing a plumb line, basically a guideline to ensure your wallpaper is aligned.
—
Hadley Keller,
House Beautiful,
4 Dec. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Plumb line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plumb%20line. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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