through line
noun
variants
or throughline
or less commonly through-line
: a common or consistent element or theme shared by items in a series or by parts of a whole
But Kent's latest nonetheless reveals a fascinating through line in her work, which centers on, as she puts it, "disrespect for the feminine"—and the inciting power of female rage.—
Rachel Handler
Rachel HandlerVang was born in a refugee camp in Thailand, and came to the United States in the late 1980s. For him and his family, food was the throughline keeping them connected to their culture, wherever they were.—Sharyn Jackson
Sharyn JacksonPerverse moments like these are a throughline in Decker's work. The Texas native specializes in "bad" desires—awkward wants that tend to go unexpressed, or which otherwise seem too compromising to confess even to oneself.—K. Austin Collins
K. Austin CollinsUnlike Tokyo's great shopping thoroughfares, which have a certain logical through-line (if not aesthetic, at least socioeconomic), Osaka's arcades are mismatched, high-low jumbles of retail diversions.—Simon Dumenco
Simon DumencoExamples of through line in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This juxtaposition of man’s contrasting natures is an important through line in Taylor’s work.
—Marina Harss, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
Uncertainty is a through line across these factors as a major concern of young people (just like many older folk).
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
The tiny twirl embellishment in Fox’s hair, specifically, was a through line in the many hairstyles at the 2025 Met Gala in May.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 10 June 2025
As a related aside, another through line from Abramovich to the current ownership concerns getting rid of managers and incurring high costs to do so.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for through line
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Marina Harss, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
Uncertainty is a through line across these factors as a major concern of young people (just like many older folk).
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
The tiny twirl embellishment in Fox’s hair, specifically, was a through line in the many hairstyles at the 2025 Met Gala in May.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 10 June 2025
As a related aside, another through line from Abramovich to the current ownership concerns getting rid of managers and incurring high costs to do so.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for through line
Cite this Entry
“Through line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/through%20line. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share