flatline
verb
flat·line
ˈflat-ˌlīn 
flatlined; flatlining; flatlines
1
a
: to register on an electronic monitor as having no brain waves or heartbeat
b
: die
2
a
: to be in a state of no progress or advancement
b
: to come to an end
flatliner
noun
Examples of flatline in a Sentence
the patient was fading fast, and doctors expected him to flatline before the night was over
Recent Examples on the Web
The Timberwolves went into a do-or-die game and were flatlining before the first quarter was halfway over.
—
Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 29 May 2025
While her peers blew in white-hot, cooled to red-hot, then fizzled, flatlined, and peeled off into God knows where, Nicole Kidman just kept accelerating forward.
—Danielle Pergament, Allure, 22 May 2025
My brother flatlined and was resuscitated multiple times.
—John Jeremiah Sullivan, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
Take Fabian Kamberi, who is trying to revive the flatlining metaverse market.
—Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flatline
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Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 29 May 2025
While her peers blew in white-hot, cooled to red-hot, then fizzled, flatlined, and peeled off into God knows where, Nicole Kidman just kept accelerating forward.
—Danielle Pergament, Allure, 22 May 2025
My brother flatlined and was resuscitated multiple times.
—John Jeremiah Sullivan, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
Take Fabian Kamberi, who is trying to revive the flatlining metaverse market.
—Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flatline
Cite this Entry
“Flatline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flatline. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
flatline
intransitive verb
flat·line
ˈflat-ˌlīn
flatlined; flatlining
1
: to register on an electronic monitor as having no heartbeat or brain waves : to experience cessation of heart contractions or brain wave activity as indicated by a flat line on a electrocardiogram or electroencephalogram
I flatlined on the operating table, but Dr. Bunsom managed to revive me.—Alison Wright, Yoga Journal
Alison Wright, Yoga JournalHe used to be ill quite a bit as a younger child, and his heart flatlined four times before he was 6.—Ginnie Graham, Tulsa World
Ginnie Graham, Tulsa World2
: die entry 1
But just because death is expected doesn't mean it's any less depressing when the patient finally flatlines.—Phil Taylor, Sports Illustrated
Phil Taylor, Sports IllustratedLove words? Need even more definitions?
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