Perpendicular: meaning, definitions and examples

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perpendicular

[ˌpɜːr.pənˈdɪk.jə.lər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

geometry

At an angle of 90 degrees to a given line, plane, or surface.

Synonyms

orthogonal, right-angled, vertical.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
perpendicular	Used when referring to a line or plane that is at an exact 90-degree angle to another line or plane in geometry, construction, or everyday descriptions. The building’s walls are perpendicular to the ground. Draw a line perpendicular to the base of the triangle.
vertical	Refers to anything that is upright or at right angles to a horizontal plane. Often used in everyday language and various fields like architecture, engineering, and design. The flagpole is perfectly vertical. Align the bookshelf so that it is vertical against the wall.
orthogonal	Primarily used in mathematics, computer science, and statistics to describe vectors that are at right angles to each other, or situations where no overlap or dependency occurs. In linear algebra, two vectors are orthogonal if their dot product is zero. The statistical data points are orthogonal, indicating no correlation.
right-angled	Commonly used in geometry to describe shapes, especially triangles, that feature a 90-degree angle. A right-angled triangle has one angle of exactly 90 degrees. The carpenter used a right-angled square to check the edges.

Examples of usage

The two lines are perpendicular to each other.
The flagpole stood perpendicular to the ground.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

mathematics

In a manner that forms a right angle.

Synonyms

orthogonally, vertically.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
perpendicular	Use in general geometric or everyday contexts to describe lines, planes, or surfaces meeting at a right angle. The two streets meet at a perpendicular intersection The shelf needs to be set at a perpendicular angle to the wall
vertically	Specific to contexts involving direction or orientation, describing something positioned upright from bottom to top. The doors slide open vertically The rocket was launched vertically
orthogonally	Primarily used in mathematical, especially linear algebra, or technical contexts when discussing vectors, functions, or axes meeting at right angles. The basis vectors in this coordinate system are orthogonally aligned The signal is filtered orthogonally to remove noise

Word

Description / Examples

perpendicular

Use in general geometric or everyday contexts to describe lines, planes, or surfaces meeting at a right angle.

The two streets meet at a perpendicular intersection
The shelf needs to be set at a perpendicular angle to the wall

vertically

Specific to contexts involving direction or orientation, describing something positioned upright from bottom to top.

The doors slide open vertically
The rocket was launched vertically

orthogonally

Primarily used in mathematical, especially linear algebra, or technical contexts when discussing vectors, functions, or axes meeting at right angles.

The basis vectors in this coordinate system are orthogonally aligned
The signal is filtered orthogonally to remove noise

Examples of usage

The beam was cut perpendicular to its length.
He held the paper perpendicular to the table.

Interesting Facts

Mathematics

Perpendicular lines intersect at a right angle, which is exactly 90 degrees.
In coordinate geometry, the slopes of two perpendicular lines are negative reciprocals of each other. This means if one line has a slope of 2, the other will have a slope of -1/2.
These lines can be visualized in a Cartesian plane, helping to form various geometric shapes.

Architecture

Many iconic buildings utilize perpendicular arrangements to create stability and visual balance.
In architectural design, perpendicular orientations can enhance airflow and natural light within a structure.
The concept is also critical in urban planning to maximize land use and organize space effectively.

Art

Artists often use perpendicular lines to create depth in their drawings, giving the illusion of three-dimensional space.
In abstract art, the use of perpendicular intersects can lead to dynamic compositions that draw viewers' eyes across the canvas.
The famous painting 'The Last Supper' by Leonardo da Vinci uses perpendicular lines to guide the viewer's focus toward the central figure of Jesus.

Physics

In physics, the concept of perpendicularity is crucial in understanding forces: for instance, when two forces act perpendicular to each other, they result in a resultant force, which can be calculated using the Pythagorean theorem.
Wave physics often discusses perpendicular vibrations; for example, in electromagnetic waves, the electric and magnetic fields oscillate at right angles to each other.
In mechanics, the moment of a force is calculated considering how it acts perpendicular to the lever arm for maximum turning effect.

Navigation

Navigational charts use perpendicular lines to map out routes and understand the geographical relationships between different locations.
In GPS technology, perpendicular coordinates help determine positions accurately in a three-dimensional space.
Pilots and navigators employ perpendicularity to ensure that their course adjustments lead directly to their intended destination.

Translations

Translations of the word "perpendicular" in other languages:

🇵🇹 perpendicular

🇮🇳 लंबवत (Lambavat)

🇩🇪 senkrecht

🇮🇩 tegak lurus

🇺🇦 перпендикулярний

🇵🇱 prostopadły

🇯🇵 垂直 (suichoku)

🇫🇷 perpendiculaire

🇪🇸 perpendicular

🇹🇷 dik

🇰🇷 수직의 (sujik-ui)

🇸🇦 عمودي ('amudi)

🇨🇿 kolmý

🇸🇰 kolmý

🇨🇳 垂直的 (chuízhí de)

🇸🇮 pravokoten

🇮🇸 lóðréttur

🇰🇿 перпендикуляр

🇬🇪 პერპენდიკულარული (perpendikularuli)

🇦🇿 perpendikulyar

🇲🇽 perpendicular

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,945 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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5942 cave
5943 therefrom
5944 suppression
5945 perpendicular
5946 yielding
5947 gland
5948 boss
...