lateral

adjective lat·er·al \ ˈla-tə-rəl also ˈla-trəl \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Examples: lateral in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of lateral

1 : of or relating to the side

a lateral view

2 : situated on, directed toward, or coming from the side

the lateral branches of a tree

3 : extending from side to side

the lateral axis of an airplane

4 phonetics : produced with passage of breath around the side of a constriction formed with the tongue

\l\ is lateral

—

laterally

adverb

See lateral defined for English-language learners

See lateral defined for kids

Examples of lateral in a Sentence

the lateral force of an earthquake
from the lateral view you can see how thick the wall really is

Recent Examples of lateral from the Web

For a guy whose derives much of his value from his ability to keep opposing ballhandlers in front of him — i.e., his lateral quickness — the injuries are worthy of consideration.

— david murphy, Philly.com, "LeBron James or not, Sixers will have to fill these two needs | David Murphy," 6 June 2018
The lateral movement appears fine and the closing speed is good.

— mike preston, baltimoresun.com, "Preston: Ravens' cornerback Tavon Young is nearing top form in his return," 5 June 2018
Defensively, his average lateral quickness can be exposed.

— jeremy woo, SI.com, "2018 NBA Draft Big Board 8.0: Top 100 Prospects After the Early Entry Deadline," 31 May 2018
Mason Mullins, Chandler The 6-5 senior middle blocker, who will be playing at Concordia University in Irvine, Calif., next season, dominated at the net with a fast arm and exceptional lateral quickness.

— richard obert, azcentral, "Arizona High School Boys Volleyball Player of the Year nominees," 17 May 2018
When Josh Rosen slides out of impending danger in the pocket, his side-to-side lateral movement is virtually impeccable.

— bob mcmanaman, azcentral, "Tennis served Zack Greinke, Josh Rosen well in quest to be professional athletes," 21 May 2018
Keegan instead uses mesquite, a hardwood tree that can grow throughout the dry Southwest due to its unique dual root system: a deep tap that draws subsurface moisture, and a sprawling lateral network that picks up slight rainfall.

— francine maroukian, Popular Mechanics, "Americans Are Making Great Single-Malt Whiskey Now," 19 May 2018
And while Garcia would be well served to continue developing his jab, combinations and lateral movement, his convincing victory over former featherweight title challenger Jayson Velez proved the 19-year-old possesses a future worth following.

— lance pugmire, latimes.com, "Ryan Garcia gets a resume boost with a victory over Jayson Velez," 5 May 2018
The morning tests, conducted as Stevens and general manager Danny Ainge looked on, measured Brown’s speed, ability to spin, ability to change direction, lateral movement and ability to use and avoid screens, Stevens said.

— marcus hayes, Philly.com, "Celtics' Jaylen Brown upgraded to probable, but unlikely to start Game 2 against Sixers," 4 May 2018

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

Did You Know?

Lateral shows up in all kinds of contexts. A lateral job change is one that keeps you at about the same job level and salary. A coach might have special drills to improve his players' lateral speed and agility. The British speak of "lateral thinking", thinking that grabs ideas that may not seem to be relevant but turn out to work well—what we might call "thinking outside the box". But we know lateral best from football. A lateral pass is a pass of the ball between teammates that usually goes to the side and slightly backward from the direction in which they're advancing; unlike a forward pass, a lateral may be made from any position, and any number may be made in a single play.

Origin and Etymology of lateral

Middle English laterale, from Latin lateralis, from later-, latus side

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

lateral Synonyms

Synonyms

side;

Related Words

left, right;

one-sided;

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

lateral

noun

Definition of lateral

1 : a branch from the main part (as in an irrigation or electrical system)

2 : a pass in football thrown parallel to the line of scrimmage or in a direction away from the opponent's goal

3 : a lateral speech sound

See lateral defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of lateral from the Web

Digging up streets to install sewer laterals, which lead from the sewer main to individual homes.

— bob sandrick, cleveland.com, "Cost of Strongsville sanitary sewer project rises by 24 percent," 30 Apr. 2018
The first crop will form on shoots directly from these arms; future crops will form on shoots from laterals off these arms.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "How To Grow Your Own Kiwis In Your Backyard," 6 Feb. 2018
The assets being sold do not include the customer service laterals that run from the curb to each customer’s homes, or any interior plumbing in homes.

— andrew maykuth, Philly.com, "Pa. American buys Chesco sewer system for $9.25M," 2 May 2018
Mikula said that laterals usually are installed through bores or holes drilled in the road.

— bob sandrick, cleveland.com, "Cost of Strongsville sanitary sewer project rises by 24 percent," 30 Apr. 2018
Together, the two laterals pushed overall footage at the well, called CD5-25, to a little over eight miles, at 42,993 feet, the company said.

— alex demarban, Anchorage Daily News, "ConocoPhillips claims North American record for horizontal drilling," 23 Apr. 2018
Health experts acknowledge the city did little to replace lead laterals and to encourage the use of water filters before 2016.

— daniel bice, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Paint industry accused of trying to create diversion over lead poisoning in Milwaukee," 9 Apr. 2018
Sometimes laterals are significantly smaller than the centrals; sometimes the difference is more subtle.

— julie mazziotta, PEOPLE.com, "No, Nick Jonas Does Not Have 3 Front Teeth: The Singer and a Dentist Weigh In," 14 Mar. 2018
The Aztecs made multiple laterals on the game's final play from their 40.

— chicagotribune.com, "2-point gamble, late TD help Army beat San Diego State 42-35 in Armed Forces Bowl," 24 Dec. 2017

Origin and Etymology of lateral

see ¹lateral

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1578

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Field and Goal Sports Terms

crease, lax, overthrow, playbook, post, screen, scrum, secondary, ultimate

lateral

verb

Definition of lateral

lateraled; lateraling; laterals

intransitive verb

: to throw a lateral

Recent Examples of lateral from the Web

Hayward pitched the ball off to Miami’s Reshad Jones, who then lateraled it to Jacksonville’s Jalen Ramsey for a return of 23 yards.

— j.c. carnahan, OrlandoSentinel.com, "AFC prevails in Pro Bowl on Delanie Walker's late TD catch," 29 Jan. 2018
Wilson tossed the ball to the running back J.D. McKissic, who then lateraled the ball back across the field to Wilson, who launched a 38-yard pass down the field.

— tim rohan, SI.com, "Seahawks Find Their Groove in Second Half and Take Down Giants 24–7," 22 Oct. 2017
Quarterback Jared Goff completed a short pass to receiver Pharoh Cooper, who lateraled the ball to Tavon Austin.

— gary klein, latimes.com, "Eagles 14, Rams 7: Carson Wentz throws 20-yard touchdown pass to Trey Burton," 10 Dec. 2017
The Chiefs won the toss and promptly threatened again when lineman Buck Buchanan lateraled Yepremian's short kick to Podolak, who returned to his 46.

— by bob rubin, miamiherald, "When Christmas dinner was delayed as the Miami Dolphins played on and on," 19 Dec. 2016
The Skins threw a screen pass and started desperately lateraling the ball all over the field.

— dan gartland, SI.com, "A Meaningless Chiefs Touchdown Screwed Gamblers in Two Ways," 3 Oct. 2017
Cozart lateraled to Wilson, then slipped past his right tackle and right up the middle for a wide-open catch.

— dave southorn and rachel roberts, idahostatesman, "Boise State quarterbacks Rypien, Cozart catch passes | Idaho Statesman," 4 Nov. 2017
Jason King caught Taylor’s pass 10 yards downfield, was hit by a couple of defenders, then lateraled to a hustling Swen.

— mark zeske, star-telegram, "Eaton’s running back puts on a show against Saginaw," 3 Nov. 2017
Slot back Darryl Bonner took a direct snap and lateraled to Malcolm Perry, who threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to quarterback Zach Abey with 6:05 left in the third quarter.

— marc narducci, Philly.com, "Temple outlasts Navy as Frank Nutile throws 4 touchdown passes," 2 Nov. 2017

Origin and Etymology of lateral

see ¹lateral

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1930

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

LATERAL Defined for English Language Learners

lateral

adjective

Definition of lateral for English Language Learners

: toward, on, or coming from the side

lateral

noun

Definition of lateral for English Language Learners

American football : a pass thrown to the side or backward

LATERAL Defined for Kids

lateral

adjective lat·er·al \ ˈla-tə-rəl \

Definition of lateral for Students

: being on or directed toward the side

lateral movement

—

laterally

adverb

Medical Dictionary

lateral

adjective lat·er·al \ ˈlat-ə-rəl, ˈla-trəl \

medical Definition of lateral

: of or relating to the side; especially, of a body part : lying at or extending toward the right or left side : lying away from the median axis of the body