Definition of vertical
1 a
: perpendicular to the plane of the horizon or to a primary axis : upright
b (1)
: located at right angles to the plane of a supporting surface
(2)
: lying in the direction of an axis : lengthwise
2 a
: situated at the highest point : directly overhead or in the zenith
b
of an aerial photograph
: taken with the camera pointing straight down or nearly so
3 a
: relating to, involving, or integrating economic activity from basic production to point of sale
- a vertical monopoly
b
: of, relating to, or comprising persons of different status
- the vertical arrangement of society
4
medical
: relating to or being transmission (as of a disease) by genetic inheritance or by a congenital or perinatal route
- vertical inheritance
- … decreasing the rate of vertical transmission of HIV to the fetus by two-thirds, so that the numbers of children with the condition are diminishing.
- —Cynthia B. Cohen
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