Origin: Latin suffix -ment
Alignment has 5 different meanings across 1 category:
the spatial property possessed by an arrangement or position of things in a straight line or in parallel lines
"The alignment of the three stars created a striking visual pattern across the night sky."
(astronomy) apparent meeting or passing of two or more celestial bodies in the same degree of the zodiac
"During the eclipse, observers noted a perfect alignment where the Sun and Moon appeared to meet at the exact same degree of the zodiac."
the act of adjusting or aligning the parts of a device in relation to each other
"The mechanic performed the alignment on the engine components to ensure they worked smoothly together."
An arrangement of items in a line.
"The pilot adjusted the aircraft's alignment to ensure it was perfectly positioned on the runway centerline before takeoff."
In plain English: Alignment means when things are lined up straight and pointing in the same direction so they work together properly.
"The alignment of the stars was visible from our backyard this evening."
The word alignment comes from French alignement, which was formed by combining the verb to line up with a suffix meaning an action or result. It entered English through this direct borrowing rather than evolving organically within the language itself.