horizontal

adjective

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hor·i·zon·tal | \ ˌhȯr-ə-ˈzän-tᵊl

, ˌhär- \

Definition of horizontal

1a : 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

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Examples of horizontal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Multiple electric rotors allow aircraft to take off or land similar to a helicopter, and rotate for airplane-like horizontal flight. — Michael J. Coren, Quartz, "Fiat Chrysler plans to mass produce flying cars by 2023," 12 Jan. 2021 Sweeping horizontal lines accentuate the sense of a spacious cockpit. — Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, "Quick takes: High-mpg diesel Suburban, quirky Genesis, excellent Elantra," 17 Dec. 2020 The store was designed by architect Rowland Crawford in a late Art Deco style called Streamline Moderne, known for curving forms and long horizontal lines. — Roger Vincent Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "Santa Monica’s historic Sears store has been remade as office space, but who’s renting?," 6 Dec. 2020 Its members, who lived in cities across the country, would operate with a horizontal structure, make decisions via consensus, and offer their footage free for noncommercial use. — Rachel Hutton, Star Tribune, "Unicorn Riot's protest coverage brings global notice to the alternative media group," 2 Oct. 2020 Frost and his family are horizontal in the old cemetery hugging the museum building. — Brian T. Allen, National Review, "Visiting My Local Museums after Months of COVID," 19 Dec. 2020 When a plant has a neighbor, investing in long, horizontal roots is less likely to return a worthwhile reward. — Theresa Machemer, Smithsonian Magazine, "How Pepper Plants Pick the Perfect Path for Putting Down Roots," 18 Dec. 2020 Beta returns to face off with Rotator, a horizontal spinner, in this new episode. — Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, "What’s on TV Thursday: ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ on CBS," 16 Dec. 2020 Numerous amenities are moveable, including a large, horizontal fire feature, cabanas, furniture, fans, misters and custom partition panels. — Ron Donoho Writer, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Openings, renovations move forward at area’s casinos," 13 Dec. 2020

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.