alignment
uh-LAYN-muhnt
/əˈlaɪnmənt/
The position of agreement or alliance among different groups, or the proper positioning of parts.
In business, alignment means ensuring that all departments, goals, and resources are working harmoniously toward the same objective.
The story behind the word. From the French word 'alignement', which originally referred to dressing soldiers in a perfectly straight line during military drills. By the 20th century, the term marched out of the military barracks and into corporate boardrooms to describe departments working in perfect harmony.
Word relationships
- synchronization: Synchronization emphasizes timing and operating at the same speed, while alignment emphasizes direction and shared goals.
- alliance: An alliance is a formal treaty or pact between independent entities, while alignment is a state of working harmoniously toward a shared goal.
- divergence: Divergence is the process of moving in different directions, the exact opposite of alignment.
Commonly confused with
- agreement: Agreement is a shared opinion, while alignment is a shared operational direction and coordination of efforts.
Word family
- align (verb): To place in a straight line or bring into agreement.
- aligned (adjective): Positioned correctly or in agreement.
Collocations
- strategic alignment
- perfect alignment
- bring into alignment
- out of alignment
Example sentences
- "The CEO emphasized the need for perfect alignment between marketing and product development." Corporate Management
- "The mechanic checked the wheel alignment to prevent the car from pulling to one side." Mechanical Engineering
Memory hook
Alignment is when everyone is standing in a straight line, marching toward the same goal. Everyone in a straight line, marching together.
When not to use
Do not use to describe a simple agreement between two people on a minor topic (use 'agreement' instead).
Fun facts
- In astronomy, the alignment of three celestial bodies in a straight line is called a 'syzygy'—a rare and beautiful event.
Related words
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