Langimage
English

lanes

|lane|

A2

/leɪnz/

(lane)

narrow path or road

Base FormPlural3rd Person Sing.PastPast ParticiplePresent Participle
lanelaneslaneslanedlanedlaning
Etymology
Etymology Information

'lane' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'lanu' (or 'lane'), where the root meant 'a narrow way or track'.

Historical Evolution

'lane' changed from Old English 'lanu' into Middle English 'lane' and eventually became the modern English word 'lane'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'a narrow way or path'; over time it retained that basic sense while also extending to 'division of a road' and figurative uses such as 'area of activity'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

plural of 'lane': a marked division of a roadway for a single line of vehicles.

The highway has three lanes in each direction.

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Antonyms

Noun 2

narrow country or village roads or paths (small public ways).

We drove slowly along the narrow village lanes.

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Antonyms

Noun 3

marked divisions in a track or pool used for racing (e.g., running lanes, swimming lanes).

The swimmers lined up in their lanes before the start.

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Noun 4

designated routes for ships or aircraft (shipping lanes, air lanes).

Commercial ships follow established lanes to avoid collisions.

Synonyms

Verb 1

third-person singular of 'to lane': to move into or occupy a lane, or to arrange/divide into lanes.

On the busy road he lanes cautiously to avoid other cars.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/10/08 22:30