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vertical

adjective
ver·​ti·​cal | \ ˈvər-ti-kəl How to pronounce vertical (audio) \

Definition of vertical

1a : 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
2a : 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
3a : 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
Other Words from vertical Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about vertical

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Other Words from vertical

vertical noun
verticality \ ˌvər-​tə-​ˈka-​lə-​tē How to pronounce verticality (audio) \ noun
vertically \ ˈvər-​ti-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce vertically (audio) \ adverb
verticalness \ ˈvər-​ti-​kəl-​nəs How to pronounce verticalness (audio) \ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for vertical

Synonyms

erect, perpendicular, plumb, raised, stand-up, standing, upright, upstanding

Antonyms

flat, recumbent

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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

 Marvin Jones is a reliable No. 2, a vertical threat who's just a year removed from the best season of his career. — Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Lions observations: Leaders emerging for No. 4, 5 WR spots in Houston," 15 Aug. 2019 The vertical cracks that open in glaciers can be shallow or deep, but are always a safety concern, Wilson said. — Anchorage Daily News, "Warm weather forces early closure of Southeast Alaska sled dog camps," 15 Aug. 2019 For example, in the visual cortex, some groups of cells will register the presence of vertical features; others horizontal ones; still others pick up motion; and so on. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Elon Musk’s Neuralink: Both an evolution and a plan for radical change," 13 Aug. 2019 The three vertical wells target the Barbers Hill field down to a depth of 5,500 feet. — Sergio Chapa, Houston Chronicle, "Drilling Down: Pioneer’s big bet on the Midland Basin," 12 Aug. 2019 The process has reduced labor costs by 80% compared with a first-generation vertical farm, Counne said. — Alexia Elejalde-ruiz, chicagotribune.com, "Many have tried and failed to make vertical indoor farming work. One Chicago entrepreneur thinks he can do it.," 7 Aug. 2019 Consider, for instance, a photon, which can exhibit either horizontal or vertical polarization. — Daniel Garisto, Scientific American, "“Qutrit” Experiments Are a First in Quantum Teleportation," 6 Aug. 2019 Last week, new vertical blinds were installed, replacing the black trash bags that have been hanging over the curtain rods for several weeks. — Burbank Leader, "Waiting is sometimes the hardest part when tackling cancer," 5 Aug. 2019 With a knife dipped into flour, make 2 horizontal cuts and 2 vertical cuts to form 9 biscuits. — Lisa Yockelson, BostonGlobe.com, "Recipe: Fill these golden cheese biscuits with turkey, mustard-mayo, chutney, and arugula," 5 Aug. 2019

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

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First Known Use of vertical

1559, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

History and Etymology for vertical

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

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More Definitions for vertical

vertical

adjective
How to pronounce vertical (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of vertical

: positioned up and down rather than from side to side : going straight up
: having a structure in which there are top, middle, and bottom levels

See the full definition for vertical in the English Language Learners Dictionary

vertical

adjective
ver·​ti·​cal | \ ˈvər-ti-kəl How to pronounce vertical (audio) \

Kids Definition of vertical

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: rising straight up and down from a level surface

Other Words from vertical

vertically adverb

vertical

noun

Kids Definition of vertical (Entry 2 of 2)

: something (as a line or plane) that rises straight up and down

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