alignement

Alignment is the condition of being in a straight line or in the proper relative position with respect to a reference. In geometry, alignment describes collinearity of points or the parallelism of lines, while in engineering and manufacturing it refers to the correct orientation and placement of parts relative to reference axes. Proper alignment reduces wear, vibration, and error, and it is typically achieved through measurement and adjustment with specialized tools.

In technology, memory alignment refers to placing data at addresses that match the processor's requirements, improving access speed and correctness. User interfaces and typography use alignment to position text and elements, commonly left, right, center, or justified.

In transport, alignment covers wheel alignment in vehicles and track alignment in rail systems, ensuring consistent handling and reduced wear. In astronomy, alignment concerns the apparent arrangement of celestial objects and the observer's line of sight. In business and organizations, strategic alignment describes how well IT, processes, and personnel support shared goals and value systems. In games and fiction, alignment categorizes a character's ethical and moral stance.

Spelling: alignement is a variant found in some languages, such as French, and in historical or domain-specific texts; the English term is alignment.