1. relating to the side or sides of something
2. moving or extending sideways

1. a side shoot or branch
Usage: botany
2. a sideways pass in football
Usage: sports

Examples

• The lateral movement of the crab caught our attention.
• She made a lateral career change from teaching to marketing.
• The quarterback threw a lateral pass to his teammate.
• The plant developed several lateral branches.
• Lateral thinking helps solve problems creatively.
• The building has lateral support beams on each side.
• The injury affected his lateral mobility.