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to arrange in a straight line; adjust according to a line.
to bring into a line or .
to bring into cooperation or agreement with a particular group, party, cause, etc.:
He aligned himself with the liberals.
to adjust (two or more components of an electronic circuit) to improve the response over a frequency band, as to align the tuned circuits of a radio receiver for proper tracking throughout its frequency range, or a television receiver for appropriate wide-band responses.
to fall or come into line; be in line.
to join with others in a cause.
Contemporary Examples

As a state senator in the 1930s, Strom Thurmond aligned himself with this program of energetic government for white benefit.
David’s Bookclub: Strom Thurmond’s America David Frum April 15, 2013

Influential New Democratic–aligned magazines like The New Republic and Washington Monthly also championed the cause.
The Rise of the New New Left Peter Beinart September 11, 2013

“Your politics and campaign are clearly not aligned with the themes we portrayed in our series,” Berg wrote on Oct. 12.
‘Horses and Bayonets,’ ‘Clear Eyes,’ and ‘Battleships’ at Final Romney-Obama Debate Marlow Stern October 22, 2012

They claim that the taxi drivers are aligned with a rival gang known as “Los Paisas.”
The Facebook Hit List Murders Constantino Diaz-Duran August 24, 2010

As difficult as it is proving to be, international intervention in Syria needs to be aligned with international law.
What Assad Wants in Syria: Unsanctioned International Military Action Salman Shaikh February 14, 2012

Historical Examples

The operation would take ten minutes, and the axis of this new turn would be aligned directly on Sol by the computer.
Where I Wasn’t Going Walt Richmond

Carefully and surely he aligned the ship with the rock in speed and direction.
Gold in the Sky Alan Edward Nourse

In the background, the 75’s aligned along the edge of the wood continue joyously their triumphant salvoes.
‘Neath Verdun, August-October, 1914 Maurice Genevoix

We were all aligned but the old pacer—why didn’t you let us go?
The Bishop of Cottontown John Trotwood Moore

It wriggled and struggled and refused to let itself be aligned on the target.
The Modern Pistol and How to Shoot It Walter Winans

verb
to place or become placed in a line
to bring (components or parts, such as the wheels of a car) into proper or desirable coordination or relation
(transitive) usually foll by with. to bring (a person, country, etc) into agreement or cooperation with the policy, etc of another person or group
(transitive) (psychol) to integrate or harmonize the aims, practices, etc of a group
(usually foll by with) (psychol) to identify with or match the behaviour, thoughts, etc of another person
v.

early 15c., “to copulate” (of wolves, dogs), literally “to range (things) in a line,” from Middle French aligner, from Old French alignier “set, lay in line,” from à “to” (see ad-) + lignier “to line,” from Latin lineare, from linea (see line (n.)). Transitive or reflective sense of “to fall into line” is from 1853. International political sense is attested from 1934. No justification for the French spelling, and aline was an early native form. Related: Aligned; aligning.