dodecahedron

noun

do·​deca·​he·​dron (ˌ)dō-ˌde-kə-ˈhē-drən How to pronounce dodecahedron (audio)
plural dodecahedrons or dodecahedra (ˌ)dō-ˌde-kə-ˈhē-drə How to pronounce dodecahedron (audio)
: a solid having 12 plane faces
dodecahedral adjective

Examples of dodecahedron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Some Roman dodecahedrons date to as early as the first century C.E. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2024 Lacking context, the dodecahedron has become an enduring mystery of the Roman Empire. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2024 More mundane explanations suggest dodecahedrons functioned as measuring devices, calendars, weapons or tools. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2023 His find will now go on display at the museum alongside an intact bronze dodecahedron found nearby in 1939. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2023 The stars are projected accurately on the ceiling by a single lightbulb shining through pinholes in a black, metal dodecahedron. Dean Regas, The Enquirer, 25 Feb. 2023 Experts believe the piece belonged to a dodecahedron that measured roughly two inches across. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2023 Among the artifacts recovered is a rare Roman dodecahedron, or hollow copper object possibly used as a weapon or measuring device, as scholar Michael Guggenberger wrote in a 2013 Mathematical Intelligencer article. Isis Davis-Marks, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Dec. 2020 Now Jayadev Athreya, David Aulicino and Patrick Hooper have shown that an infinite number of such paths do in fact exist on the dodecahedron. Quanta Magazine, 31 Aug. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dodecahedron.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Greek dōdekaedron, from dōdeka- + -edron -hedron

First Known Use

circa 1570, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dodecahedron was circa 1570

Dictionary Entries Near dodecahedron

Cite this Entry

“Dodecahedron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dodecahedron. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dodecahedron

noun
do·​deca·​he·​dron (ˌ)dō-ˌdek-ə-ˈhē-drən How to pronounce dodecahedron (audio)
plural dodecahedrons or dodecahedra -drə How to pronounce dodecahedron (audio)
: a polyhedron that has 12 faces

More from Merriam-Webster on dodecahedron

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