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 Multiple protrusions can be seen reaching out of the funnel like arms — evidence of horizontal vortexes, which usually only occur in the strongest tornadoes. Scott Dance, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 One of its co-founders is Judith Baca, whose monumental horizontal mural along the Tujunga Wash in the San Fernando Valley changed many Angelenos’ POV about graffiti art. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Roll one horizontal side of the puff pastry up and over, then the other side, enclosing everything. The Editors, Field & Stream, 6 Mar. 2024 The potential for the projector to be used in a wide variety of locations and situations is enhanced, too, by a simple set up system that includes vertical lens shifting, four corner correction, and both horizontal and vertical keystone correction. John Archer, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Then there’s the horizontal plot of Lydia’s story that develops through the entire show until the end. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Feb. 2024 The Prologue presents Honda’s typical narrow horizontal vents while the Blazer uses the directional circular vents that have become a Chevy signature. Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 22 Feb. 2024 By mid-November, a sill — a horizontal body of magma — of elephantine proportions was sitting just a few kilometers below Svartsengi. Robin George Andrews, Quanta Magazine, 20 Feb. 2024 Overall, the best 2023 sinkers were thrown hard with high spin and average or better horizontal movement. Tony Blengino, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'horizontal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near horizontal

Cite this Entry

“Horizontal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horizontal. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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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