1. a large excavating machine that uses a bucket suspended from a boom on cables to dig and move earth
Usage: construction; mining
2. a strong silk thread produced by spiders for various purposes including web construction and transportation
Usage: biology

Examples

• The mining company used a massive dragline to remove overburden from the coal seam.
• Construction workers operated the dragline to excavate the foundation.
• The dragline’s bucket could hold several tons of material.
• Spiders use draglines to anchor themselves while moving between surfaces.
• The spider descended on its dragline from the ceiling.
• Scientists study the strength properties of spider draglines for potential applications.