Vertical vs. Lateral — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 18, 2023
Vertical pertains to an up-and-down direction or position. Lateral refers to a side-to-side or horizontal orientation. They represent distinct perpendicular planes.
Difference Between Vertical and Lateral
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Vertical describes something that is oriented or moves in an up-and-down direction, aligning with the direction of gravity. Lateral, on the other hand, pertains to a side-to-side or horizontal direction, running parallel to the ground.
In architectural and engineering contexts, Vertical designs or components rise upwards from a base, like skyscrapers or pillars. In contrast, Lateral elements extend horizontally, such as bridges or beams.
In organizational hierarchies, a Vertical move implies a promotion or demotion, ascending or descending in rank. A Lateral move, however, typically signifies a change in role or position without a significant change in hierarchical level.
In medical terminology, a Vertical incision or orientation would go up and down on the body, often aligning with the body's long axis. A Lateral view or incision would relate to the sides or the breadth of an organism.
From a geometric perspective, Vertical lines run perpendicular to the horizon, never deviating from their upward or downward direction. Lateral lines, in this context, remain parallel to the horizon, moving only left or right.
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Comparison Chart
Direction
Up-and-down
Side-to-side
Relation to Gravity
Aligned with gravity's direction
Perpendicular to gravity's direction
Organizational Move
Implies a change in hierarchical level (up or down)
Suggests a role change without significant rank alteration
Architectural Element
Rises upwards from a base (e.g., skyscrapers, pillars)
Extends horizontally (e.g., bridges, beams)
Geometric Lines
Perpendicular to the horizon
Parallel to the horizon
Compare with Definitions
Vertical
Being in a position or direction perpendicular to the horizon.
The vertical pillars supported the roof of the temple.
Lateral
Moving or directed side-to-side, rather than up or down.
The dancer made a graceful lateral movement across the stage.
Vertical
Moving or extending straight up.
The rocket's vertical ascent was a sight to behold.
Lateral
Pertaining to a position or direction parallel to the ground.
The branches extended in a lateral spread from the tree trunk.
Vertical
Relating to or involving all stages of a business from production to distribution.
A vertical integration strategy can streamline operations.
Lateral
Involving a change of position without a change in hierarchical level.
She made a lateral move within the company to gain different experiences.
Vertical
Being at the highest point or peak.
The mountain's vertical summit challenges even seasoned climbers.
Lateral
Located on the side of a body or structure.
The lateral fins of a fish help in balancing and steering.
Vertical
Being or situated at right angles to the horizon; upright.
Lateral
Of, relating to, or situated at or on the side.
Vertical
Situated at the vertex or highest point; directly overhead.
Lateral
Of or constituting a change within an organization or hierarchy to a position at a similar level, as in salary or responsibility, to the one being left
Made a lateral move within the company.
Vertical
(Anatomy) Of or relating to the vertex of the head.
Lateral
(Linguistics) Of, relating to, or being a sound produced by breath passing along one or both sides of the tongue.
Vertical
Relating to or involving all stages from production to sale
Vertical integration.
Lateral
A lateral part, projection, passage, or appendage.
Vertical
Of or relating to a business model that offers a specific product or service to a specific customer base rather than offering a wide range of products or services in a wider market.
Lateral
(Football) A lateral pass.
Vertical
Relating to or composed of elements at different levels, as of society.
Lateral
(Linguistics) A lateral sound, such as (l).
Vertical
(Medicine) Of or relating to transmission of a disease or condition from parent to offspring, either through genetic inheritance or through circumstances occurring between conception and birth.
Lateral
To execute a lateral pass.
Vertical
Something vertical, as a line, plane, or circle.
Lateral
To pass (the ball) sideways or backward.
Vertical
A vertical position.
Lateral
To the side; of or pertaining to the side.
Instead of a promotion, I opted for a lateral move to a similar position in the marketing department.
Vertical
Standing, pointing, or moving straight up or down; parallel to the local direction of gravity; along the direction of a plumb line; perpendicular to something horizontal.
Vertical lines
Lateral
Situated on one side or other of the body or of an organ, especially in the region furthest from the median plane.
The medial side of the knee faces the other knee, while the outer side of the knee is lateral.
A fish senses changes in hydrodynamic pressure with its lateral line.
Vertical
In a two-dimensional Cartesian co-ordinate system, describing the axis y oriented normal (perpendicular, at right angles) to the horizontal axis x.
Lateral
(disease) Affecting the side or sides of the body, or confined to one side of the body.
Vertical
In a three-dimensional co-ordinate system, describing the axis z oriented normal (perpendicular, orthogonal) to the basic plane xy.
Lateral
(physics) Acting or placed at right angles to a line of motion or strain.
Vertical
(marketing) Of or pertaining to vertical markets.
Lateral
(UK) Non-linear or unconventional, as in, lateral thinking.
Vertical
(wine tasting) Involving different vintages of the same wine type from the same winery.
Lateral
Pertaining to speech sounds generated by partially blocking the egress of the airstream with the tongue, leaving space on one or both sides of the occlusion for air passage.
Vertical
(music) Of an interval: having the two notes sound simultaneously.
Lateral
An object, such as a passage or a protrusion, that is situated on the side of something else.
Vertical
A vertex or zenith.
Lateral
(linguistics) A sound produced through lateral pronunciation (such as /l/ in lateral).
Vertical
A vertical geometrical figure; a perpendicular.
Lateral
(American football) A lateral pass.
Vertical
An individual slat in a set of vertical blinds.
Lateral
(business) An employee hired for a position at the same organizational level or salary as their previous position.
Vertical
A vertical component of a structure.
Lateral
To move (oneself or something) in a lateral direction.
Vertical
(marketing) A vertical market.
We offer specialised accounting software targeting various verticals.
Lateral
(American football) To execute a lateral pass.
Vertical
Of or pertaining to the vertex; situated at the vertex, or highest point; directly overhead, or in the zenith; perpendicularly above one.
Charity . . . is the vertical top of all religion.
Lateral
Of or pertaining to the sides; as, the lateral walls of a house; the lateral branches of a tree.
Vertical
Perpendicular to the plane of the horizon; upright; plumb; as, a vertical line.
Lateral
Lying at, or extending toward, the side; away from the mesial plane; external; - opposed to mesial.
Vertical
Vertical position; zenith.
Lateral
Directed to the side; as, a lateral view of a thing.
Vertical
A vertical line, plane, or circle.
Lateral
A short pass to a receiver who is upfield from the passer, i.e. is behind the passer relative to the direction of the passer's goal.
Vertical
Something that is oriented vertically
Lateral
A part or extension of something that points sideways, as a drift in a mine that goes to the side from the main one.
Vertical
A vertical structural member as a post or stake;
The ball sailed between the uprights
Lateral
To pass the footbal to a receiver who is behind the passer; to make a lateral pass; as, the ball was lateraled to the fullback, who ran it for a touchdown.
Vertical
At right angles to the plane of the horizon or a base line;
A vertical camera angle
The monument consists of two vertical pillars supporting a horizontal slab
Measure the perpendicular height
An inclined plane
Lateral
A pass to a receiver upfield from the passer
Vertical
Upright in position or posture;
An erect stature
Erect flower stalks
For a dog, an erect tail indicates aggression
A column still vertical amid the ruins
He sat bolt upright
Lateral
Situated at or extending to the side;
The lateral branches of a tree
Shot out sidelong boughs
Vertical
Aligned with the direction of gravity.
The waterfall's vertical drop was breathtaking.
Lateral
Lying away from the median and sagittal plane of a body;
Lateral lemniscus
Lateral
Relating to the side or sides of something.
The sculpture had intricate lateral carvings.
Common Curiosities
Is Lateral synonymous with horizontal?
Yes, Lateral often refers to a side-to-side or horizontal orientation.
Do Vertical lines run parallel to the horizon?
No, Vertical lines run perpendicular to the horizon.
Can Vertical be used to describe organizational structures?
Yes, Vertical can describe hierarchies or integrations in a business context.
How does Vertical relate to the direction of gravity?
Vertical is aligned with the direction of gravity, going up-and-down.
If a person stands upright, is their spine Vertical or Lateral?
Their spine would be in a Vertical position.
How do Vertical and Lateral pertain to geometric shapes?
Vertical describes lines or dimensions going up-and-down, while Lateral refers to side-to-side dimensions.
Can trees have both Vertical and Lateral elements?
Yes, trees have Vertical trunks and Lateral branches.
How does Lateral movement differ in a corporate setting?
A Lateral move in a company typically means changing roles without ascending or descending in rank.
Can Lateral refer to audio equipment?
Yes, Lateral can describe sound reproduction from the sides, as in certain vinyl records.
What's a Lateral move in chess?
A Lateral move in chess means moving a piece side-to-side on the board.
Which term, Vertical or Lateral, relates to a structure's width?
Lateral typically pertains to the width or breadth of a structure.
How do Vertical and Lateral relate to thinking patterns?
Vertical thinking is linear and logical, while Lateral thinking is more about creativity and exploring multiple directions.
In sports, what does a Lateral pass mean?
A Lateral pass means the ball is passed sideways or backward, but not forward.
What's the Vertical height of something?
The Vertical height refers to how tall something is from its base to its top.
Is the equator Vertical or Lateral in orientation?
The equator is Lateral, as it runs horizontally around the Earth.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
