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
There were also 85 cases where aircraft were much closer - less than 1,500 feet apart, with a vertical separation of less than 200 feet, according to the NTSB.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
In June, Epic Group and Creative Group, an Indian vertical apparel and textile manufacturer, announced their partnership for a new state-of-the-art denim and bottoms manufacturing facility in India.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Sep. 2025
It’s outfitted with vertical cable knit detailing running along the bodice, plus a collared V-neckline for some preppy flair.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Webtoon will become the exclusive home to vertical scrolling webcomic editions of Something Is Killing the Children, the horror title written by James Tynion IV and drawn by Werther Dell’Edera.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vertical
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Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
In June, Epic Group and Creative Group, an Indian vertical apparel and textile manufacturer, announced their partnership for a new state-of-the-art denim and bottoms manufacturing facility in India.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Sep. 2025
It’s outfitted with vertical cable knit detailing running along the bodice, plus a collared V-neckline for some preppy flair.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Webtoon will become the exclusive home to vertical scrolling webcomic editions of Something Is Killing the Children, the horror title written by James Tynion IV and drawn by Werther Dell’Edera.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vertical
Cite this Entry
“Vertical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vertical. Accessed 26 Sep. 2025.
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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