First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1lateral
adjective lat·er·al \ˈla-tə-rəl also ˈla-trəl\
: toward, on, or coming from the side
Full Definition of LATERAL
1
: of or relating to the side
2
: situated on, directed toward, or coming from the side
3
: extending from side to side <the lateral axis of an airplane>
4
: produced with passage of breath around the side of a constriction formed with the tongue <\l\ is lateral>
— lat·er·al·ly adverb
See lateral defined for English-language learners
See lateral defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of LATERAL
Middle English laterale, from Latin lateralis, from later-, latus side
Related to LATERAL
- Synonyms
- side
Other Anatomy Terms
2lateral
noun
American football : a pass thrown to the side or backward
Full Definition of LATERAL
1
: a branch from the main part (as in an irrigation or electrical system)
2
: a pass in football thrown parallel to the line of scrimmage or in a direction away from the opponent's goal
3
: a lateral speech sound
See lateral defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of LATERAL
1851
3lateral
verb
Definition of LATERAL
intransitive verb
: to throw a lateral
First Known Use of LATERAL
1944
LATERAL[2] Defined for Kids
lateral
adjective lat·er·al \ˈla-tə-rəl\
Definition of LATERAL for Kids
: being on or directed toward the side <lateral movement>
— lat·er·al·ly adverb
Medical Dictionary
lateral
adjective lat·er·al \ˈlat-ə-rəl, ˈla-trəl\
Medical Definition of LATERAL
: of or relating to the side; especially of a body part : lying at or extending toward the right or left side : lying away from the median axis of the body <the lungs are lateral to the heart> <the lateral branch of the axillary artery>
Learn More About LATERAL
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: lateral budPrevious Word in the Dictionary: lateradAll Words Near: lateral
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up lateral? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).