date line
C1-C2Formal, Technical (Geography, Journalism)
Definition
Meaning
An imaginary line on the Earth's surface that defines the boundary between one calendar day and the next, approximately following the 180° meridian.
1. The specific geographical line used for demarcating days (International Date Line). 2. A term in publishing or journalism for a line in a piece of text indicating the date and place of origin.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a compound noun, 'dateline' (one word) is also standard, particularly for the journalistic sense. The two-word form is more common for the geographical term.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both variants use the term. 'Dateline' (one word) for the journalistic header is slightly more common in US publishing. No significant difference for the geographical term.
Connotations
The geographical term is neutral. The journalistic term connotes news reporting and factual authority.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse. Higher frequency in geographical, travel, and media contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [noun] crosses the date line.The [publication] includes a dateline from [place].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to lose/gain a day crossing the date line”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used when scheduling international meetings or travel across the Pacific. 'Remember the date line when coordinating with the Auckland office.'
Academic
Discussed in geography, earth sciences, and international studies concerning time standardization.
Everyday
Mentioned in travel contexts, especially for long-haul flights to/from Asia, Australia, and the Americas.
Technical
Precise definition in cartography, navigation, and time-keeping systems.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The newspaper article was datelined 'Reykjavik, Iceland'.
American English
- The report was datelined Washington, D.C.
adjective
British English
- The dateline information was crucial for verifying the story's origin.
American English
- Check the dateline code in the filing system.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We flew over the date line.
- When you cross the date line, the day changes.
- The article carried a dateline from the conflict zone, adding to its credibility.
- Navigating the political implications of the International Date Line's deviations required delicate diplomacy among the Pacific nations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a line on a globe where 'today' meets 'yesterday' – it's the DATE where the calendar flips.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LINE as a BOUNDARY between temporal states (yesterday/today).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как "линия дат" или "дата-лайн" в журналистском контексте; там это "выходные данные" или "указание места и даты".
- Не путать с "сроком" (deadline).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'dateline' to mean a deadline for submitting work.
- Spelling as 'day line'.
- Incorrectly locating the date line as exactly the 180° meridian (it has zigs and zags).
Practice
Quiz
In a newspaper, what is the primary function of a dateline?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not straight. It deviates to avoid splitting countries and island groups into two different days.
You gain a day. For example, if it is Tuesday and you cross westward, it becomes Wednesday.
Yes, in journalism. It means to provide a news story with a dateline. E.g., 'The report was datelined Cairo.'
A 'dateline' indicates the time and place of origin. A 'deadline' is the latest time by which something must be completed.