rectangular

adjective

rect·​an·​gu·​lar rek-ˈtaŋ-gyə-lər How to pronounce rectangular (audio)
1
: shaped like a rectangle
a rectangular area
2
a
: crossing, lying, or meeting at a right angle
rectangular axes
b
: having edges, surfaces, or faces that meet at right angles : having faces or surfaces shaped like rectangles
rectangular parallelepipeds
a rectangular solid
rectangularity noun
rectangularly adverb

Examples of rectangular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The rectangular wooden table set takes up minimal space and features high-quality construction. Samantha McIntyre, Parents, 9 Mar. 2024 The model kept accessories simple, wearing a pair of black rectangular shades, and a black Gucci monogrammed shoulder bag. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2024 Night after night the mouse gathered up clothespins, corks, and other miscellaneous objects, stashing them inside a rectangular wooden box for safekeeping. Matt Benoit, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024 And a large rectangular window looks into the living room; with the pull of a sliding shutter — mirrored on the living room side and upholstered on the other to match the bedroom’s walls — the room becomes a dark, padded cocoon. Max Berlinger, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 The rectangular bands represent decarbonization sectors. Ian Palmer, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 There are also native reptiles in rectangular and circular cases, such as the Chuckwalla, a common rock-dwelling reptile. Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024 Each of the rectangular sections scaling down the quarry were about 7 to 8 feet tall, which was how the responders estimated how far the dog fell, Seymour said. Makiya Seminera, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2024 The 7,000-square-foot home’s focal point is, instead, inside: a large rectangular courtyard bursting with palms and giant elephant ear plants and bordered by a colonnade shaggy with wisteria. Alice Newell-Hanson Stefan Ruiz, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rectangular was circa 1560

Dictionary Entries Near rectangular

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

rectangular

adjective
rect·​an·​gu·​lar rek-ˈtaŋ-gyə-lər How to pronounce rectangular (audio)
1
: shaped like a rectangle
a rectangular building
2
: having edges, faces, or surfaces that meet at right angles : having faces or surfaces shaped like rectangles
a rectangular solid
rectangular blocks
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!