lateral: Meaning and Definition of

lat•er•al

1. of or pertaining to the side; situated at, proceeding from, or directed to a side: a lateral view.
2. pertaining to or entailing a position, office, etc., that is different but equivalent or roughly equivalent in status, as distinguished from a promotion or demotion: a lateral move.
3. articulated so that the breath passes on either or both sides of the tongue, as l.

1. a lateral part or extension, as a branch or shoot.
2. a small drift off to the side of a principal one.
3. a lateral speech sound.
4. See

1. to throw a lateral pass.
2. to move laterally or sideways: migrating birds lateraling down into Cape May.

1. to throw (the ball) in a lateral pass.