VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

horizontal dimension

noun·Academictechnical

Last updated

UK/ˌhɒrɪˈzɒntl daɪˈmenʃn/
US/ˌhɔːrɪˈzɑːntl daɪˈmenʃn/

Meanings

  1. nouncountabletechnical

    The measurement of something from side to side, parallel to the ground.

    Grammar: Countable in technical use: the horizontal dimension, two horizontal dimensions.

    Patterns

    • the horizontal dimension of something
    • measure the horizontal dimension

    First measure the horizontal dimension of the table, then the vertical one.

    The room's horizontal dimension is four meters, and its height is three.

    In the diagram, the horizontal dimension is labeled with an x.

  2. nouncountablefigurativetechnical

    An aspect of a situation that concerns width, spread, or range rather than height or depth.

    Grammar: Often used figuratively in the plural: the horizontal dimensions of a problem.

    Patterns

    • the horizontal dimension of a problem
    • add a horizontal dimension

    The study adds a horizontal dimension by comparing many countries at once.

    We should consider the horizontal dimension of the policy, not just its history.

Word forms

pluralhorizontal dimensions

Common combinations

horizontal dimension of the table
Write down the horizontal dimension of the table before ordering a cover.
measure the horizontal dimension
Use a tape to measure the horizontal dimension of the window.
vertical and horizontal dimensions
The plan shows both the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the building.
add a horizontal dimension
Comparing the two systems adds a horizontal dimension to the analysis.

Synonyms and how they differ

width
The everyday word for side-to-side measurement; horizontal dimension is more technical and formal.
breadth
A formal word similar to width; it can also mean range of knowledge.
length
Usually the longest side-to-side measurement; it is not always the same as the horizontal dimension.

Opposites

vertical dimension

Word family

horizontally adverb
In a side-to-side direction, parallel to the ground.
horizontal adjective
Flat and side-to-side, parallel to the ground.
dimension noun
A measurement of size, such as length, width, or height.

Commonly confused: horizontal dimension or vertical dimension?

horizontal dimension vs vertical dimension

Vertical dimension measures top to bottom; horizontal dimension measures side to side.

Practice

Which measurement is the horizontal dimension of a door?

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “horizontal dimension”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words