vertical
adjective
ver·ti·cal
ˈvər-ti-kəl 
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
Cynthia B. Cohen
vertical
noun
Synonyms
Examples of vertical in a Sentence
a shirt with vertical stripes
the vertical axis of a graph
Recent Examples on the Web
Final Cut Pro: Smart Conform The Smart Conform option uses AI to automatically crop video for social network use, meaning to vertical for stories or square for Instagram.
—PCMAG, 30 June 2024
These electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) craft are part of the fast-moving Urban Air Mobility movement.
—Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 26 June 2024
Joby, a manufacturer of electric vertical takeoff-and-landing aircraft (eVTOLs), just announced that the Federal Aviation Administration has given it the green light to develop software that could lead to a consumer-facing app.
—Melvin Backman, Quartz, 20 June 2024
Sheppard, who averaged posted 12.5 points, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game in his one-and-done season with Kentucky, fared well at the draft combine last month, posting a 42-inch vertical leap that had people doing a double take.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for vertical 
PCMAG, 30 June 2024
These electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) craft are part of the fast-moving Urban Air Mobility movement.
—Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 26 June 2024
Joby, a manufacturer of electric vertical takeoff-and-landing aircraft (eVTOLs), just announced that the Federal Aviation Administration has given it the green light to develop software that could lead to a consumer-facing app.
—Melvin Backman, Quartz, 20 June 2024
Sheppard, who averaged posted 12.5 points, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game in his one-and-done season with Kentucky, fared well at the draft combine last month, posting a 42-inch vertical leap that had people doing a double take.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for vertical
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vertical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near vertical
Cite this Entry
“Vertical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vertical. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
vertical
adjective
ver·ti·cal
ˈvərt-i-kəl
: 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
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