triangular

adjective

tri·​an·​gu·​lar trī-ˈaŋ-gyə-lər 

1

a

: of, relating to, or having the form of a triangle

a triangular plot of land

b

: having a triangular base or principal surface

a triangular table

a triangular pyramid

2

a(1)

: of, relating to, or involving three elements

a triangular agreement

(2)

of a military group : based primarily on three units

b

: of or relating to a love triangle

triangularity

(ˌ)trī-ˌaŋ-gyə-ˈler-ə-tē 

-ˈla-rə-tē

noun

triangularly

trī-ˈaŋ-gyə-lər-lē 

adverb

Examples of triangular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Neanderthals made such tools by chipping away at flint to sharpen them into triangular shapes. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Dec. 2024

Viewers could walk into a triangular area cut out of the work’s center, then breathe in the earthy aroma. —The Artnews Awards Jury, ARTnews.com, 4 Dec. 2024

Giovanni Beretta, Regional Vice President and General Manager Wright wanted the building’s shape to resemble a traditional Arabian dhow’s triangular sail billowing in the wind. —Katharina Kotrba, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Our 1959 article advised readers to arrange foliage in a triangular shape (for example, create two high points with greenery and one low point with flowers). —Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English trianguler, from Late Latin triangularis, from Latin triangulum

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing triangular

• triangular number

Kids Definition

triangular

adjective

tri·​an·​gu·​lar trī-ˈaŋ-gyə-lər 

1

: of, relating to, or having the form of a triangle

2

: having a triangular base or principal surface

a triangular pyramid

Medical Definition

triangular

noun

tri·​an·​gu·​lar trī-ˈaŋ-gyə-lər 

: triquetral bone