y-axis

[ wahy-ak-sis ]
/ ˈwaɪˌæk sɪs /

noun, plural y-ax·es [wahy-ak-seez] /ˈwaɪˌæk siz/. Mathematics.

Also called axis of ordinates. (in a plane Cartesian coordinate system) the axis, usually vertical, along which the ordinate is measured and from which the abscissa is measured.
(in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system) the axis along which values of y are measured and at which both x and z equal zero.

Origin of y-axis

First recorded in 1925–30

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH y-axis

x-axis y-axis

Words nearby y-axis

y chromosome, y connection, y'all, y, y, y-, y-axis, y-chromosome, y-fronts, y-level, y-linked gene, y-shaped ligament

British Dictionary definitions for y-axis

y-axis

noun

a reference axis, usually vertical, of a graph or two- or three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system along which the y- coordinate is measured

Scientific definitions for y-axis

y-axis
[ wī′ăk′sĭs ]

The vertical axis of a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system.
One of the three axes of a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system.