horizontal

adjective

hor·​i·​zon·​tal ˌhȯr-ə-ˈzän-tᵊl How to pronounce horizontal (audio)
ˌhär-
1
a
: of or relating to the apparent junction of earth and sky : situated near the horizon
b
: parallel to, in the plane of, or operating in a plane parallel to the horizon or to a baseline : level
horizontal distance
a horizontal engine
2
: relating to, directed toward, or consisting of individuals or entities of similar status or on the same level
horizontal mergers
horizontal hostility
3
medical : relating to or being transmission (as of a disease) by physical contact or proximity in contrast with inheritance
Genes are normally inherited from parents, but they can also be inserted into a genome by viruses, plasmids, and other foreign agents—a phenomenon called horizontal transfer.Stephan Reebs
compare vertical sense 4
horizontal noun
horizontality noun
horizontally adverb

Examples of horizontal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The base iPhone 17 could retain the vertical bump from the iPhone 16, but the Air, Pro, and Pro Max variants could get horizontal end-to-end bumps. PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2025 The front camera features a square sensor, meaning the smartphone will not need to be rotated to take photos in vertical and horizontal orientations. Greta Cross, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025 The walls of the entrance chamber had traces of red paint and a horizontal white band, officials said. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025 Discovered in the 1940s by American and Soviet scientists, the channel is a natural phenomenon where a horizontal layer of ocean water greatly amplifies sound underwater. A.k. Whitney, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for horizontal

Word History

Etymology

see horizon

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of horizontal was in 1555

Cite this Entry

“Horizontal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horizontal. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

horizontal

1 of 2 adjective
hor·​i·​zon·​tal
ˌhȯr-ə-ˈzänt-ᵊl,
ˌhär-
1
: of or relating to the horizon
2
: parallel to the horizon : level
3
: being on the same level
horizontally
-ᵊl-ē
adverb

horizontal

2 of 2 noun
: a horizontal line or plane

Medical Definition

horizontal

adjective
hor·​i·​zon·​tal ˌhȯr-ə-ˈzänt-ᵊl, ˌhär- How to pronounce horizontal (audio)
1
: relating to or being a transverse plane or section of the body
2
a
: relating to or being transmission (as of a disease) by physical contact or proximity in contrast with inheritance compare vertical
b
: of or relating to horizontal gene transfer
horizontally adverb

Legal Definition

horizontal

adjective
hor·​i·​zon·​tal ˌhȯr-ə-ˈzän-təl, ˌhär- How to pronounce horizontal (audio)
: relating to, directed toward, or consisting of individuals or entities of similar status or on the same level
horizontally adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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