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

Other Word Forms

• horizontality noun
• horizontalness noun
• horizontally adverb
• subhorizontal adjective
• subhorizontally adverb
• subhorizontalness noun
• unhorizontal adjective
• unhorizontally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of horizontal¹

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

Example Sentences

They sliced it into nine horizontal sections and analysed it for clues about the animal's diet, environment and movement.

From BBC

“I was horizontal for three weeks, it felt like,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times

Footage showed the horizontal equine squirming and struggling as a firefighter and a veterinarian assisted him.

From Los Angeles Times

His Lions and Ireland coach Andy Farrell calls him horizontal, such is his unflappable personality.

From BBC

A bright blue horizontal band in an urban landscape is dotted with calmly bobbing heads.

From Los Angeles Times