per·pen·dic·u·lar
ˌpər-pən-ˈdi-kyə-lər 
1
a
: standing at right angles to the plane of the horizon : exactly upright
b
: being at right angles to a given line or plane
2
: extremely steep : precipitous
3
often capitalized
: of or relating to a medieval English Gothic style of architecture in which vertical lines predominate
4
: relating to, uniting, or consisting of individuals of dissimilar type or on different levels
: a line at right angles to a line or plane (as of the horizon)
Examples of perpendicular in a Sentence
Adjective
She lives on the street that is perpendicular to mine.
river rafters staring awestruck at the canyon's nearly perpendicular cliffs
Recent Examples on the Web
Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 9 Oct. 2025
If the silica is perpendicular, photons arrive together.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
Health Editorial Team, Health, 28 Aug. 2025
Residents of Newberry Avenue, a residential street that runs alongside the gym perpendicular to 31st Street, have long complained about spillover traffic and gym guests parking on their street.
—Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for perpendicular
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Adjective
Slice against that, perpendicular to the lines, to shorten the muscle fibers.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 9 Oct. 2025
If the silica is perpendicular, photons arrive together.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
Here's how to do it: Lie on your right side with your forearm under your shoulder, your hand perpendicular to your body, and your legs stacked.
Engage your abs and the right side of your waist.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 28 Aug. 2025
Residents of Newberry Avenue, a residential street that runs alongside the gym perpendicular to 31st Street, have long complained about spillover traffic and gym guests parking on their street.
—Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for perpendicular
Cite this Entry
“Perpendicular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perpendicular. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perpendicular
1 of 2 adjective
per·pen·dic·u·lar
ˌpər-pən-ˈdik-yə-lər
1
: exactly vertical or upright
2
: forming a right angle with each other or with a given line or plane
perpendicularly
adverb
perpendicular
2 of 2 noun
: a perpendicular line
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