A linear process or development is one in which something changes or progresses straight from one stage to another, and has a starting point and an ending point.
Her novel subverts the conventions of linear narrative.
...the linear view of time.
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A linear shape or form consists of straight lines.
...the sharp, linear designs of the Seventies and Eighties.
3. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Linear movement or force occurs in a straight line rather than in a curve.
linear in British English
(ˈlɪnɪə)
adjective
1.
of, in, along, or relating to a line
2.
of or relating to length
3.
resembling, represented by, or consisting of a line or lines
4.
having one dimension
5.
designating a style in the arts, esp painting, that obtains its effects through line rather than colour or light and in which the edges of forms and planes are sharply defined
Compare painterly
6. mathematics
of or relating to the first degree
a linear equation
7.
narrow and having parallel edges
a linear leaf
8. electronics
a.
(of a circuit, etc) having an output that is directly proportional to input
linear amplifier
b.
having components arranged in a line
Derived forms
linearity (ˌlɪnɪˈærɪtɪ)
noun
linearly (ˈlinearly)
adverb
Word origin
C17: from Latin līneāris of or by means of lines
linear in American English
(ˈlɪniər)
adjective
1.
of or relating to a line or lines
2.
made of or using lines
linear design
3.
in relation to length only; extended in a line
4.
designating or of a style of art in which forms are sharply delineated and line is emphasized over color, light and shadow, etc.
5.
having an effect or giving a response directly proportional to stimulus, force, or input
used esp. of electronic devices
6.
easy to comprehend because of being logical and not complex
7.
narrow and uniform in width, as the leaves of grasses
8. Chemistry
having the basic structure of a straight chain
9. Ancient Mathematics
of or involving terms of a linear equation
Derived forms
linearly (ˈlinearly)
adverb
Word origin
L linearis
Examples of 'linear' in a sentence
linear
Don't expect a linear narrative.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Early ideas had envisaged a mobile linear defence.
McInnes, Colin NATO's Changing Strategic Agenda (1990)
The clean linear design complements its historic surroundings.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The gameplay is good but the plot and the narrative 's linear nature offer little replay value and the game is very short.
The Sun (2011)
Or do they just mean it's incredibly boring and goes on for so long that it seems to defy the concept of linear time?
The Sun (2015)
Students will cover key concepts including algebra, linear equations, ratios and rounding.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
They found it jumped about, the narrative wasn't linear and it was quite confusing and gloomy.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
linear
British English: linear ADJECTIVE
A linear process or development is one in which something changes or progresses straight from one stage to another, and has a starting point and an ending point.
...decisions that lead the story in various directions, rather than follow traditional linear storytelling.