Definition of perpendicular
1a : standing at right angles to the plane of the horizon : exactly uprightb : being at right angles to a given line or plane
2 : extremely steep : precipitous
3 often capitalized : of or relating to a medieval English Gothic style of architecture in which vertical lines predominate
4 : relating to, uniting, or consisting of individuals of dissimilar type or on different levels
From the M-W Editors
Examples of perpendicular in a Sentence
She lives on the street that is perpendicular to mine.
river rafters staring awestruck at the canyon's nearly perpendicular cliffs
Origin and Etymology of perpendicular
Middle English perpendiculer, from Middle French, from Latin perpendicularis, from perpendiculum plumb line, from per- + pendēre to hang — more at pendant
First Known Use: 14th century
Synonym Discussion of perpendicular
Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms
perpendicular
Definition of perpendicular
: a line at right angles to a line or plane (as of the horizon)
1551
First Known Use of perpendicular
1551
Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms
PERPENDICULAR Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of perpendicular for English Language Learners
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: going straight up or to the side at a 90 degree angle from another line or surface
PERPENDICULAR Defined for Kids
Definition of perpendicular for Students
1 : exactly vertical
2 : being at right angles to a line or surface The letter T is made with two perpendicular lines.
perpendicularly
adverbDefinition of perpendicular for Students
: a line, surface, or position at right angles to another line, surface, or position
Learn More about perpendicular
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See words that rhyme with perpendicular Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for perpendicular Spanish Central: Translation of perpendicular Nglish: Translation of perpendicular for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of perpendicular for Arabic speakers
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