lateral

[lat-er-uhl]

adjective

1. of or relating to the side; situated at, proceeding from, or directed to a side.

   a lateral view.

2. pertaining to or entailing a position, office, etc., that is different but equivalent or roughly equivalent in status, as distinguished from a promotion or demotion.

   a lateral move.

3. Phonetics.,  articulated so that the breath passes on either or both sides of the tongue, as l.

noun

1. a lateral part or extension, as a branch or shoot.

2. Mining.,  a small drift off to the side of a principal one.

3. Phonetics.,  a lateral speech sound.

4. Football.,  lateral pass.

verb (used without object)

1. Football.,  to throw a lateral pass.

2. to move laterally or sideways.

   migrating birds lateraling down into Cape May.

verb (used with object)

1. Football.,  to throw (the ball) in a lateral pass.

lateral

/ ˈlætərəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the side or sides

   a lateral blow

2. phonetics (of a speech sound like l ) pronounced with the tip of the tongue touching the centre of the alveolar ridge, leaving space on one or both sides for the passage of the airstream

noun

1. a lateral object, part, passage, or movement

2. phonetics a lateral speech sound

3. botany a branch, leaf, or bud that grows out from the side of a stem or trunk

Other Word Forms

• laterally adverb
• pseudolateral adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lateral¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin laterālis “of the side,” equivalent to later- (stem of latus ) “side” + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lateral¹

C17: from Latin laterālis, from latus side

Example Sentences

The sessions included deadlifts, dumbbell bench presses, lateral bounds, resistance band drills, sprints and hurdles.

From Los Angeles Times

Adams’ “illusion of speed and lateral quickness” stand out, Nacua said.

From Los Angeles Times

Does he feel they've been too lateral in their attack on this tour?

From BBC

They were lateral and error-prone - and with each bout of angst, the Waratahs' belief started to rise.

From BBC

The Public Works Department says it will consider projects with out-of-the-ordinary building materials — as long as they comply with any code requirements including energy efficiency, fire resistance and lateral forces.

From Los Angeles Times