Definition of "tangential" in English

adjective

1. Referring to a tangent, moving at a tangent to something.

2. Merely touching, positioned as a tangent.

   • The archoplasm divides and forms a very large spindle which first lies tangential to the surface of the nucleus.

3. Only indirectly related.

   • That subject is tangential to our discussion, and we cannot let it distract us.