: toward, on, or coming from the side
a lateral view of the human body [=a view from the side]
the lateral force of an earthquake
plural laterals
American football
: a pass thrown to the side or backward
called also lateral pass
Cite this Entry
“Lateral.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/lateral. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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