horizontal

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adjective hor·i·zon·tal \ˌhȯr-ə-ˈzän-t^əl, ˌhär-\

Definition of horizontal

1a : of or relating to the apparent junction of earth and sky : situated near the horizonb : 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

horizontal

noun

horizontality

play \ˌhȯr-ə-ˌzän-ˈta-lə-tē, ˌhär-\ noun

horizontally

play \ˌhȯr-ə-ˈzän-t^əl-ē, ˌhär-\ adverb

See horizontal defined for English-language learners

See horizontal defined for kids

Recent Examples of horizontal from the Web

The studio's two side walls are covered in iridescent tiles and reflect light streaming in from its large, horizontal window and cupola in the vaulted, pecky cypress ceiling.

— madeleine winer, The Courier-Journal, "Coastal meets Southern rustic in this elegant Goshen estate," 20 July 2017
In the next 50 feet away from the structure, grass must be mowed down to 4 inches or less and vertical and horizontal space must be created between shrubs and trees.

— joshua emerson smith, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Are wildfires worsening due to development, climate change and controversial forest management?," 7 July 2017
Some experts say a vertical alignment offers a slightly better picture than a horizontal option.

— don reisinger, Fortune, "iPhone 10th Anniversary: All the Latest Rumors," 29 June 2017
The railing on the balcony is constructed of raw wood posts, notched to allow horizontal glass strips to lie on them at a slant, giving it a stylish and louvered look.

— cynthia billhartz gregorian, kansascity.com, "Contemporary farmhouse pays homage to couple’s different backgrounds," 23 June 2017
With these espadrilles from Soludos, the one-inch lift is entirely horizontal.

— WSJ, "Summery Espadrilles: Which Heel Height is Right for You?," 21 June 2017
The prototype has four propellers on each of two wings that can rotate to a vertical position for takeoff and landing, like a helicopter, and to a horizontal position for level flight.

— robert wall, WSJ, "The Flying Car May Be Getting Off the Ground," 21 June 2017
Meshed sweaters of horizontal stripes tucked into houndstooth pattern trousers turned up into a thick cuff.

— colleen barry, The Seattle Times, "Prada takes inspiration from graphic novels for Milan show," 18 June 2017
In the steel business, for instance, a horizontal monopoly buys up a lot of steel mills, such that other competitors would be boxed out.

— robinson meyer, The Atlantic, "When Does Amazon Become a Monopoly?," 16 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'horizontal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of horizontal

see horizon

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1555

See Words from the same year

HORIZONTAL Defined for English Language Learners

horizontal

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adjective

Definition of horizontal for English Language Learners

: positioned from side to side rather than up and down : parallel to the ground

HORIZONTAL Defined for Kids

horizontal

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adjective hor·i·zon·tal \ˌhȯr-ə-ˈzän-t^əl\

Definition of horizontal for Students

: lying flat or level : parallel to the horizon

horizontally

adverb

horizontal

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noun hor·i·zon·tal

Definition of horizontal for Students

: something (as a line or plane) that is parallel to the horizon

Medical Dictionary

horizontal

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adjective hor·i·zon·tal \ˌhȯr-ə-ˈzänt-^əl, ˌhär-\

Medical Definition of horizontal

1: relating to or being a transverse plane or section of the body
2a: relating to or being transmission (as of a disease) by physical contact or proximity in contrast with inheritance—compare verticalb: of or relating to horizontal gene transfer