AbstractTwo-dimensional (2D) semiconductors are opening a new platform for revitalizing widely spread optoelectronic applications. The realisation of room-temperature vertical 2D lasing from monolayer semiconductors is fundamentally interesting and highly desired for appealing on-chip laser applications such as optical interconnects and supercomputing. Here, we present room-temperature low-threshold lasing from 2D semiconductor activated vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) under continuous-wave pumping. 2D lasing is achieved from a 2D semiconductor. Structurally, dielectric oxides were used to construct the half-wavelength-thick cavity and distributed Bragg reflectors, in favour of single-mode operation and ultralow optical loss; in the cavity centre, the direct-bandgap monolayer WS₂ was embedded as the gain medium, compatible with the planar VCSEL configuration and the monolithic integration technology. This work demonstrates 2D semiconductor activated VCSELs with desirable emission characteristics, which represents a major step towards practical optoelectronic applications of 2D semiconductor lasers.