lateral

comparative more lateral · superlative most lateral

1. To the side; of or pertaining to the side.
   1. anatomySituated on one side or other of the body or of an organ, especially in the region furthest from the median plane.

      A fish senses changes in hydrodynamic pressure with its lateral line.

      1 more example

      The medial side of the knee faces the other knee, while the outer side of the knee is lateral.

      Antonyms: medial

   2. medicineAffecting the side or sides of the body, or confined to one side of the body.

      The “Euphoria” and “Grey’s Anatomy” actor announced on Thursday that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

      2025 April 10, Dan Heching, “Eric Dane shares that he has been diagnosed with ALS”, in CNN

   3. natural sciencesActing or placed at right angles to a line of motion or strain.
   4. At the same level in hierarchy or rank, especially pertaining to a movement that does not involve a change in rank, status, or level.

      lateral hiring

      2 more examples

      Instead of a promotion, I opted for a lateral move to a similar position in the marketing department.

      a lateral transfer

2. UKNon-linear or unconventional, as in, lateral thinking; outside the box.
3. human sciences(of a consonant, especially the English clear l) 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.

plural laterals

1. An object, such as a passage or a protrusion, that is situated on the side of something else.
2. human sciencesA sound produced through lateral pronunciation (such as /l/ in lateral).
3. American footballA lateral pass.
4. businessAn employee hired for a position at the same organizational level or salary as their previous position.
5. A lateral canal, a canal built alongside an existing stream.

   […] Canal and laterals, section 4, and the first part of section 5; and Miller Canal and laterals.

   1956, United States House Appropriations Committee, Public Works Appropriations for 1957, page 703

   1 more example

   Two-thirds of the drownings, or 103, occurred along the back of the canal or lateral. […] 4 drownings per year occurred in reaches of canals or laterals protected by fencing.

   1971, Howard S. Latham, James M. Verzuh, Reducing Hazards to People and Animals on Reclamation ..., page 7

present singular third person laterals · US participle present lateraling · UK participle present lateralling · US participle past lateraled · US past lateraled · UK participle past lateralled · UK past lateralled

1. To move (oneself or something) in a lateral direction.
2. American footballTo execute a lateral pass.