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
Examples of vertical in a Sentence
a shirt with vertical stripes
the vertical axis of a graph
Recent Examples on the Web
Strategists who’ve studied the issue for the Navy say there’s a case for a warship somewhat larger than current Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, which displace less than 10,000 tons and carry a little under 100 vertical launch cells for missiles and interceptors.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
The method allows much denser vertical connections and more precise alignment between layers, potentially leading to faster and more efficient chips.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
Progress and funding Last year, Joby became the first air taxi maker to complete a full flight transition from vertical to cruise flight, a significant step in the process toward FAA certification.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Eight riders were stranded nearly 100 feet in the air on Thursday evening after a roller coaster in Texas stopped during its vertical climb.
—Francie Ebert, NBC news, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for vertical
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Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
The method allows much denser vertical connections and more precise alignment between layers, potentially leading to faster and more efficient chips.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
Progress and funding Last year, Joby became the first air taxi maker to complete a full flight transition from vertical to cruise flight, a significant step in the process toward FAA certification.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Eight riders were stranded nearly 100 feet in the air on Thursday evening after a roller coaster in Texas stopped during its vertical climb.
—Francie Ebert, NBC news, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for vertical
Cite this Entry
“Vertical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vertical. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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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