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REFERENCE

vertical

adj. · n.
US //ˈvɝtɪkəɫ// UK //vˈɜːtɪkəl// ver·ti·cal
  1. 1 straight up and down (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    standing or moving straight up and down, at a right angle to the ground.

    oriented at a right angle to the horizontal plane; parallel to the direction of gravity.

    Example

    The climbers struggled to find a grip on the vertical rock face.

    Example

    The architect emphasized the building's height by adding long vertical columns that stretched from the base to the roofline.
  2. 2 business/market (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Academic Technical

    relating to a specific industry or a narrow market rather than a broad one.

    pertaining to a vertical market, where goods and services are provided for a specific industry or specialized group of customers.

    Example

    The company decided to focus on vertical software for the healthcare industry.

    Example

    Vertical integration allowed the manufacturer to control every stage of production, from raw materials to the final retail sale.
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  1. 3 musical notes (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Music

    describing notes that are played at the same time to make a chord.

    describing the harmonic aspect of a composition where notes in an interval or chord sound simultaneously.

    Example

    The teacher explained the difference between a melody and a vertical chord.

    Example

    The composer experimented with dense vertical structures, creating complex clusters of sound that challenged traditional harmonic expectations.
  2. 4 an upright line or object (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a line or part of a structure that goes straight up.

    a vertical line, plane, or structural component.

    Example

    Check the vertical with a spirit level to make sure the wall is straight.

    Example

    The design features a series of steel verticals that support the weight of the glass canopy.
  3. 5 political/power structure (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic Formal

    a system where power flows from the top down to the bottom.

    a hierarchical command structure used for the exercise of political or organizational power.

    Example

    The country's political vertical ensures that local leaders follow the central government.

    Example

    The consolidation of the power vertical meant that regional governors were now directly accountable to the president.
Origin

Borrowed from Middle French vertical, from Late Latin verticālis.

Word family

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