y-axis

[wahy-ak-sis] /ˈwaɪˌæk sɪs/
noun, plural y-axes
[wahy-ak-seez] /ˈwaɪˌæk siz/ (Show IPA). Mathematics
1.
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.
2.
(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
1925-30
Can be confused
x-axis, y-axis.
Examples from the web for y-axis
  • The first division is within the x-axis, the second within the y-axis then the third in the z-axis before repeating itself.
  • Doing so would move many of the schemes with a positive value on the y-axis into negative territory.
  • What you see on the x-axis are ages of individuals, and on the y-axis the expected years of life at that age.
  • The x-axis is the first principal component of variation, and the y-axis the second.
  • On the y-axis you see the responses to amputation and apostasy.
  • To the left of the canvas is the concealable y-axis label panel.
  • The y-axis is used for the dependent variable, which changes over time or date or distance.
British Dictionary definitions for y-axis

y-axis

noun
1.
a reference axis, usually vertical, of a graph or two- or three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system along which the y-coordinate is measured
y-axis in Science
y-axis
  (wī'āk'sĭs)   

  1. The vertical axis of a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system.

  2. One of the three axes of a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system.