rectangular

adjective

rect·​an·​gu·​lar rek-ˈtaŋ-gyə-lər 

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

(ˌ)rek-ˌtaŋ-gyə-ˈler-ə-tē 

-ˈla-rə-tē

noun

rectangularly

rek-ˈtaŋ-gyə-lər-lē 

adverb

Examples of rectangular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the northeastern part of the tell, archaeologists discovered some burials, one covered by a large, rectangular basalt slab. —Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025

On Wednesday, the tech giant offered a private sneak peek to showcase the sleek, environmentally friendly rectangular design of the coming store that takes up a city block at Miami Worldcenter. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025

Accessorizing with rectangular frames, a silver pendant necklace and sculptural knee-high boots, FKA Twigs completed her avant-garde look with faux tribal tattoos and a half-shaven bouffant hairdo. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 23 Jan. 2025

It is equipped with two rectangular LED floodlights that offer a combined brightness of 2,000 lumens and a 4,000K color temperature. —PCMAG, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rectangular

• rectangular coordinate

Kids Definition

rectangular

adjective

rect·​an·​gu·​lar rek-ˈtaŋ-gyə-lər 

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