horizontal

[ hawr-uh-zon-tl, hor- ]

adjective

1. at right angles to the vertical; parallel to level ground.
2. flat or level:

   a horizontal position.

3. being in a prone or supine position; recumbent:

   His bad back has kept him horizontal for a week.

4. near, on, or parallel to the horizon.
5. of or relating to the horizon.
6. measured or contained in a plane parallel to the horizon:

   a horizontal distance.

7. (of material on a printed page, pieces on a game board, etc.) extending across, from the left to the right of the viewer.
8. of or relating to a position or individual of similar status:

   He received a horizontal promotion to a different department, retaining his old salary and title.

9. Economics. of or relating to companies, affiliates, divisions, etc., that perform the same or similar functions or produce the same or similar products:

   Through horizontal mergers the company monopolized its field.

noun

1. anything horizontal, as a plane, direction, or object.

horizontal

/ ˌhɒrɪˈzɒntəl /

adjective

1. parallel to the plane of the horizon; level; flat Compare vertical
2. of or relating to the horizon
3. measured or contained in a plane parallel to that of the horizon
4. applied uniformly or equally to all members of a group
5. economics relating to identical stages of commercial activity

   horizontal integration

noun

1. a horizontal plane, position, line, etc

Derived Forms

• ˌhorizonˈtality, noun
• ˌhoriˈzontally, adverb

Other Words From

• hor·i·zon·tal·i·ty [hawr-i-zon-, tal, -i-tee, hor-], hori·zontal·ness noun
• hori·zontal·ly adverb
• subhor·i·zontal adjective
• subhor·i·zontal·ly adverb
• subhor·i·zontal·ness noun
• unhor·i·zontal adjective
• unhor·i·zontal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of horizontal¹

1545–55; < Latin horizont- (stem of horizōn ) horizon + -al ¹

Example Sentences

"The presence/absence of large genomic regions across these lineages showed that horizontal transfers of effector genes, namely genes that are important in establishing successful infection, contributed to establishing host specificity."

From Science Daily

Instead, the experience mirrored that of a sophisticated massage chair in horizontal — not as effective as an actual person but still providing much-needed relief in key areas.

From Los Angeles Times

“You get really rapid changes in vertical and horizontal motion over short distances,” Dr. Hitchcock said.

From New York Times

He saluted cypress trees that “originated biologically at Point Lobos” and speculated that maybe they developed their horizontal, wing-like limb structure here to withstand coastal gusts.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s telling that he conceived of his scenes in clearly delineated horizontal bars that give sky, earth and the Danube River an unshakable, marble-like solidity.

From New York Times