redlining

US: /ˈrɛdˌlaɪnɪŋ/ ,(red′lī′ning)

From the verb red line: (⇒ conjugate)

redlining is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

red•lin•ing or red-lin•ing, /ˈrɛdˌlaɪnɪŋ/   n. [uncountable]

1. a discriminatory practice by which some banks or institutions that lend money refuse to grant mortgages or insurance in urban areas that they consider to be deteriorating.
2. Computing a marking device, as underlining, used esp. in word processing to highlight suggested additional text in a document.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

red•lin•ing  (red′lī′ning), n. 

1. a discriminatory practice by which banks, insurance companies, etc., refuse or limit loans, mortgages, insurance, etc., within specific geographic areas, esp. inner-city neighborhoods.

Also, red′-lin′ing. 

• redline + -ing¹, as if banks, insurance companies, etc., had outlined such areas in red on a map

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

red′ line′, [Ice Hockey.]

1. Sport a line of the color red that is parallel to and equidistant from the goal lines and divides the rink in half.

• 1960–65

red•line  (v. red′līn′;n. red′līn′), v., -lined, -lin•ing, n. 
v.t. 

1. to treat by redlining (an area or neighborhood).
2. to establish the recommended safe speed of (an airplane):
   The bomber is redlined at 650 miles an hour.
3. to draw a canceling red line through (an item on a list).
4. to mark or designate for cancellation, rejection, dismissal, or the like:
   club members redlined for unpaid dues.
5. Aeronautics to cause (an airplane) to be grounded.

v.i. 

6. to engage in redlining.

n. 

7. Automotive
   • the maximum rotational speed, or angular velocity, of the engine crankshaft that is considered safe: often measured in rpm.
   • a red line or boundary of a red area that delineates such a value, as on a tachometer.

Also, red′-line′. 

• red¹ + line¹ 1940–45

red′lin′er, n.