horizontal

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adjective hor·i·zon·tal \ ˌhȯr-ə-ˈzän-tᵊl , ˌhär- \

Definition of horizontal

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

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horizontal

noun

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horizontality

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

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horizontally

play \ˌhȯr-ə-ˈzän-tᵊl-ē, ˌhär-\ adverb

See horizontal defined for English-language learners

See horizontal defined for kids

Recent Examples of horizontal from the Web

The apartment project — newly revised in a more horizontal layout and intended to better fit in a suburban setting — is proposed for seniors 55 and over.

— sheldon s. shafer, The Courier-Journal, "Prospect doesn't want this senior housing project. Planners approved the rezoning anyway," 30 Aug. 2017
These kinds of horizontal gene transfers, where genes shortcut the usual passage from parent to offspring and instead move directly between individuals, are rare in animals, but common among bacteria.

— ed yong, The Atlantic, "How Mushrooms Became Magic," 24 Aug. 2017
The Stars and Bars, with a ring of white stars in a blue square over red and white horizontal bars, was the first official flag of the Confederate States of America.

— rachel evans, Bloomberg.com, "Six Flags Removes Confederate Flag at Parks After Protests," 20 Aug. 2017
Schaedel failed the horizontal gaze test, then refused to complete field sobriety exercises.

— tony marrero, miamiherald, "Florida man offered cop $10,000 to go free, and got another charge instead, police say," 11 Aug. 2017
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

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

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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-tᵊl \

Definition of horizontal for Students

:lying flat or level :parallel to the horizon

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horizontally

adverb

horizontal

noun

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

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

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horizontally

play \-ᵊl-ē\ adverb

Law Dictionary

horizontal

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adjective hor·i·zon·tal \ ˌhȯr-ə-ˈzän-təl, ˌhär- \

legal Definition of horizontal

:relating to, directed toward, or consisting of individuals or entities of similar status or on the same level

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horizontally

adverb

Learn More about horizontal

Spanish Central: Translation of horizontal Nglish: Translation of horizontal for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of horizontal for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about horizontal

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horizontal

Definition of horizontal

horizontal

horizontality

horizontally

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Origin and Etymology of horizontal

HORIZONTAL Defined for English Language Learners

horizontal

Definition of horizontal for English Language Learners

HORIZONTAL Defined for Kids

horizontal

Definition of horizontal for Students

horizontally

horizontal

Definition of horizontal for Students

Medical Dictionary

horizontal

medical Definition of horizontal

horizontally

Law Dictionary

horizontal

legal Definition of horizontal

horizontally

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