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

Derived Forms

• ˈlaterally, adverb

Other Words From

• lat·er·al·ly adverb
• pseu·do·lat·er·al 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

Their starting offensive team is brilliant, but not one member has NBA level lateral and side-to-side movement or speed on defense, and especially on the fast break, where young high-flying wings and point guards are running them to death.

From Los Angeles Times

Lilian was given a lateral flow test on 18 September which was positive, then a second report said the same test had been registered in error - "please ignore", it said.

From BBC

In terms of average lateral deviation for spinners, these games were in the top quarter of matches where ball-tracking data is available, but not in the top sixth.

From BBC

His first play on offense was a 35-yard touchdown pass to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt after getting a lateral from Davison.

From Los Angeles Times

Figures are still regularly published on the number of recorded coronavirus cases across the UK, from PCR and lateral flow tests.

From BBC