horizontal

adjective

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

Other Words from horizontal More Example Sentences Learn More about horizontal

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Other Words from horizontal

horizontal noun

horizontality \ˌhȯr-ə-ˌzän-ˈta-lə-tē,

ˌhär- \ noun

horizontally \ˌhȯr-ə-ˈzän-tᵊl-ē,

ˌhär- \ adverb

Examples of horizontal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These same views could be had from inside the shed, too, if the barn door were slid open along its horizontal track. — Liz Arnold, Longreads, "Making Peace with the Site of a Suicide," 11 July 2018 The amount of the horizontal stretching measured is tiny — about 3 millimeters (0.12 inch) — but enough to stress faults, according to the researchers. — Fox News, "Study: 2014 Napa quake may be linked to groundwater changes," 13 June 2018 The horizontal video uses the same footage as the vertical, in which Mendes strums and sings away as a pair of anonymous female hands get touchy-feely. — Abby Jones, Billboard, "Shawn Mendes Drops Gorgeous 'Full Color' 'Nervous' Video: Watch," 11 June 2018 The sinker has as much vertical movement as last season with a jump in horizontal movement. — Matt Breen, Philly.com, "Whiffs? Jake Arrieta doesn't need no stinkin' whiffs | Matt Breen," 1 June 2018 Challenger puzzle, May 20, Datebook, Page 59 This puzzle grid’s total in the third horizontal row was incorrect. — Chronicle Staff Report, San Francisco Chronicle, "Corrections, May 27," 26 May 2018 One of the most unusual products in need of a container was a horizontal stabilizer for the P-3 aircraft, Arnold recalled. — Lorraine Mirabella, baltimoresun.com, "Five Minutes with Mick Arnold of Arnold Packaging," 25 May 2018 The other, showing how films are made, will be shaped like a massive sphere, with a horizontal cut at the top that serves as a lookout over the city. — Alexandra Wolfe, WSJ, "For Architect Renzo Piano, a Career Devoted to Making Elite Institutions Accessible," 21 June 2018 But in large part thanks to Mr. Bork’s analysis, horizontal mergers continue to receive intense scrutiny from the federal government, while most vertical mergers go forward, albeit often with conditions. — James B. Stewart, New York Times, "AT&T-Time Warner Decision Shows Need to Rethink Antitrust Laws," 13 June 2018

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.