What term describes the degree of movement of an aircraft around its lateral axis?

The term that describes the degree of movement of an aircraft around its lateral axis is pitch. In aviation, pitch refers to the up or down angle of the aircraft's nose relative to the horizon. When a pilot raises the nose of the aircraft, it is said to be in a "nose-up" pitch, and when they lower the nose, it is referred to as a "nose-down" pitch. This movement is crucial for controlling the aircraft's altitude and attitude during flight, especially during takeoff and landing phases.

The lateral axis lies from wingtip to wingtip, and the pitch movement occurs around this axis. Understanding pitch is essential for pilots to maintain control over the aircraft's altitude and to perform maneuvers effectively.