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Lateral: meaning, definitions and examples

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lateral

 

[ ˈlætərəl ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

spatial orientation

of, at, toward, or from the side or sides

Synonyms

flank, side, sideways.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
lateral

Used in technical contexts, such as in sciences and anatomy, to describe movement or position towards the side of something.

  • The lateral movement of the robot was impressive.
  • Lateral thinking is encouraged in problem-solving exercises.
side

A common term to refer to any of the lateral surfaces of an object or place.

  • We sat on the side of the hill.
  • The side of the building was covered in murals.
sideways

Describes a direction or position that is horizontal or moving towards the side.

  • She stepped sideways to avoid the puddle.
  • The car skidded sideways on the icy road.
flank

Refers to the side part of an animal or a body, commonly used in military or strategic contexts.

  • The soldiers protected the flank of the convoy.
  • The wolf was hiding in the long grass, ready to attack the deer from the flank.

Examples of usage

  • The lateral walls of the room were painted blue.
  • She suffered a lateral impact in the car accident.
Context #2 | Noun

anatomy

a lateral part or extension, such as a projection or appendage

Synonyms

appendage, extension, side part.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
lateral

Used to describe something situated at, proceeding from, or directed to a side; often used in scientific or anatomical contexts.

  • The lateral view of the X-ray showed the fracture clearly
  • The plant has lateral roots that help it stabilize in the soil
side part

Generally refers to a part of something that is on the side, often used in speaking about hair styling or design elements.

  • She styled her hair with a deep side part for the event
  • The side part of the vehicle was damaged in the accident
extension

Refers to something added to existing structures or systems to enlarge or prolong them; commonly used in construction, technology, or general growth contexts.

  • The house has a new kitchen extension
  • The university built an extension to the library to accommodate more students
  • A browser extension can add extra features to your web browsing experience
appendage

Often used in biology to refer to an external body part that projects from the body, such as a limb or tail. Can also imply something supplementary or dependent.

  • The insect’s appendages help it grasp and manipulate its environment
  • The company's new division is more of an appendage than a core part of its operations

Examples of usage

  • The lateral of the brain is responsible for processing sensory information.
  • The lateral of the knee joint allows for movement in multiple directions.

Translations

Translations of the word "lateral" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lateral

🇮🇳 पार्श्वीय

🇩🇪 seitlich

🇮🇩 lateral

🇺🇦 бічний

🇵🇱 boczny

🇯🇵 側面の

🇫🇷 latéral

🇪🇸 lateral

🇹🇷 yanal

🇰🇷 측면의

🇸🇦 جانبي

🇨🇿 boční

🇸🇰 bočný

🇨🇳 侧面的

🇸🇮 stranski

🇮🇸 hliðar-

🇰🇿 бүйірлік

🇬🇪 გვერდითი

🇦🇿 yan

🇲🇽 lateral

Etymology

The word 'lateral' has its origins in the Latin word 'lateralis', which means 'belonging to the side'. The term has been used in various fields such as anatomy, sports, and design to refer to the side or extension of an object or body part. The concept of laterality has been studied extensively in neuroscience, with a focus on how the brain processes information from different sides of the body.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,801, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.