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

Its rectangular shape evokes a vintage cigarette pouch, and every detail harks back to the fashion house’s extensive, industry-defining legacy. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025

The only departure from its perfectly rectangular design is a tiny bump on the bottom edge of the screen to hold the IR remote sensor, indicator LED, and far-field microphones. —PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025

The four rectangular objects, each measuring about three inches long, sat atop reeds in a corner of the tomb. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025

Apple discontinued the Clamshell design in May 2001 in favor of more conventional rectangular models, but vintage models still sell frequently on resale sites for upwards of $200. —Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rectangular

• rectangular coordinate

Rhymes for rectangular

• quadrangular
• subangular
• triangular
• angular
• subtriangular

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