alignment Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an organization of people (or countries) involved in a pact or treaty
    alinement; alliance; coalition.
  2. noun the spatial property possessed by an arrangement or position of things in a straight line or in parallel lines
  3. noun (astronomy) apparent meeting or passing of two or more celestial bodies in the same degree of the zodiac
    conjunction.
  4. noun the act of adjusting or aligning the parts of a device in relation to each other

WordNet

A*lign"ment noun
Etymology
F. alignement.
Definitions
  1. The act of adjusting to a line; arrangement in a line or lines; the state of being so adjusted; a formation in a straight line; also, the line of adjustment; esp., an imaginary line to regulate the formation of troops or of a squadron.
  2. (Engin.) The ground-plan of a railway or other road, in distinction from the grades or profile.

Webster 1913