Definition & Meaning of "lateral consonant"

What is a "lateral consonant"?

A lateral consonant is a type of consonant sound produced by allowing airflow to pass along the sides of the tongue while the center of the tongue makes contact with the roof of the mouth. This creates a distinct sound characterized by the side passage of air. The most common example of a lateral consonant in English is the "l" sound, as found in the word "light." Lateral consonants are important in phonetics because they contribute to the diversity of sounds in a language and can affect word pronunciation and meaning.