vertical

adjective

ver·​ti·​cal ˈvər-ti-kəl How to pronounce vertical (audio)
1
a
: perpendicular to the plane of the horizon or to a primary axis : upright
b(1)
: located at right angles to the plane of a supporting surface
(2)
: lying in the direction of an axis : lengthwise
2
a
: situated at the highest point : directly overhead or in the zenith
b
of an aerial photograph : taken with the camera pointing straight down or nearly so
3
a
: relating to, involving, or integrating economic activity from basic production to point of sale
a vertical monopoly
b
: of, relating to, or comprising persons of different status
the vertical arrangement of society
4
medical : relating to or being transmission (as of a disease) by genetic inheritance or by a congenital or perinatal route
vertical inheritance
… decreasing the rate of vertical transmission of HIV to the fetus by two-thirds, so that the numbers of children with the condition are diminishing.Cynthia B. Cohen
compare horizontal sense 3
vertical noun
verticality noun
vertically adverb
verticalness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for vertical

vertical, perpendicular, plumb mean being at right angles to a base line.

vertical suggests a line or direction rising straight upward toward a zenith.

the side of the cliff is almost vertical

perpendicular may stress the straightness of a line making a right angle with any other line, not necessarily a horizontal one.

the parallel bars are perpendicular to the support posts

plumb stresses an exact verticality determined (as with a plumb line) by earth's gravity.

make sure that the wall is plumb

Examples of vertical in a Sentence

a shirt with vertical stripes the vertical axis of a graph
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The vertical stitching looks clean and elegant, and is meant to prevent wrinkles. Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 18 Nov. 2024 According to one rule-of-thumb, men with a vertical greater than 20 inches and women with a vertical greater than 14 inches are likely to be predominantly fast-twitch. Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 12 Nov. 2024 Using sharp paring knife, cut 1 1/2-inch vertical slit into thickest part of each breast. Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024 During a La Niña, the area of low vertical wind shear in the Atlantic expands, increasing the number of hurricanes that develop while allowing stronger storms to form. Ty Roush, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vertical 

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin verticalis, from Latin vertic-, vertex

First Known Use

1559, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of vertical was in 1559

Dictionary Entries Near vertical

Cite this Entry

“Vertical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vertical. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

vertical

1 of 2 adjective
ver·​ti·​cal
ˈvərt-i-kəl
1
: directly overhead
2
: going straight up or down from a level surface
3
: of or relating to persons of higher or lower standing
a vertical social order
vertically
-k(ə-)lē
adverb

vertical

2 of 2 noun
1
: something (as a line or plane) that is vertical
2
: a vertical direction
Etymology

from early French vertical or Latin verticalis, both meaning "relating to a vertex, at the highest point overhead," from earlier Latin vertic-, vertex "top, highest point, pole (turning point), whirl," from vertere "to turn" — related to converse, reverse, universe, versatile

Medical Definition

vertical

adjective
ver·​ti·​cal ˈvərt-i-kəl How to pronounce vertical (audio)
: relating to or being transmission (as of a disease) by genetic inheritance or by a congenital or perinatal route
vertical transmission of the hepatitis B virus from mother to infant
vertical inheritance
compare horizontal sense 2
vertically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on vertical

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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