a well-defined track or path; for e.g. swimmers or lines of traffic
"The swimmer cut across the lane to close the gap before the final turn."
A road, street, or similar thoroughfare.
"The narrow lane wound through the quiet village, lined with old stone cottages and blooming gardens."
In plain English: A lane is a narrow road that usually allows only one vehicle to pass at a time.
"We drove down the quiet country lane to reach our destination."
Usage: Use "lane" to describe a narrow public road, often with fewer lanes of traffic than a main street, that provides access to homes or businesses. It typically refers to a minor roadway rather than a single driving lane within a larger highway.
A topographic surname, from Middle English for someone who lived in a lane.
"The census taker noted that Mr. Lane's family name likely originated because his ancestors once resided near the narrow path leading to the old mill."
The word lane comes from Old English lanu, which originally meant a narrow road or passageway. It traveled into Modern English through Middle English while retaining its core sense of a small street.