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
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 
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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
Dictionary Entries Near vertical
Cite this Entry
“Vertical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vertical. Accessed 1 Dec. 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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