alignment — English Dictionary

Noun

1. An arrangement of items in a line.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

2. The process of adjusting a mechanism such that its parts are aligned; the condition of having its parts so adjusted.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

3. An alliance of factions.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

4. The goals and values of an artificial intelligence, considered relative to human ethical standards.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   the alignment problem

   the alignment tax

   More examples (3)

   It turns out that there’s little overlap between the communities concerned primarily with such short-term risks and those who worry more about longer-term alignment risks.

   The issue of chatbot responses that veer into strange territory is widely known among researchers. In an interview last week, Sam Altman, the chief executive of OpenAI, said improving what's known as "alignment" — how the responses safely reflect a user's will — was "one of these must-solve problems."

   But many in the field are concerned that Big Tech companies are sidelining alignment research efforts in the race to keep building and releasing the technology into the world.

5. One of a set number of moral positions or philosophies a character can take.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   an alignment chart

6. The conjunction of two celestial objects.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

7. The precise route or course taken by a linear way (road, railway, footpath, etc.) between two points.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

8. A way of arranging DNA, RNA or protein sequences in order to identify regions of similarity.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

9. A ground plan of a canal or road.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. an organization of people (or countries) involved in a pact or treaty

   Synonyms

   alliancecoalitionalinement

   Antonyms

   nonalignment

   Broader terms

   organizationorganisation

2. the spatial property possessed by an arrangement or position of things in a straight line or in parallel lines

   Broader terms

   placementarrangement

3. (astronomy) apparent meeting or passing of two or more celestial bodies in the same degree of the zodiac

   Synonyms

   conjunction

   Broader terms

   meetingencounter

4. the act of adjusting or aligning the parts of a device in relation to each other

   Broader terms

   adjustmentregistrationreadjustment