quadrilateral

American  

[kwod-ruh-lat-er-uhl] / ˌkwɒd rəˈlæt ər əl /

adjective

1. having four sides.

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noun

1. a plane figure having four sides and four angles.

2. something of this form.

3. Geometry.

   1. a figure formed by four straight lines that have six points of intersection.

   2. a polygon with four sides.

4. the space enclosed between and defended by four fortresses.

quadrilateral British  

/ ˌkwɒdrɪˈlætərəl /

adjective

1. having or formed by four sides

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noun

1. Also called: tetragon.  a polygon having four sides. A complete quadrilateral consists of four lines and their six points of intersection

quadrilateral Scientific  

/ kwŏd′rə-lăt′ər-əl /

1. A polygon that has four sides, such as a rectangle or rhombus.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• quadrilaterally
  adverb
• quadrilateralness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of quadrilateral

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin quadrilater(us) “four-sided” + -al ¹; equivalent to quadri- + lateral

Explanation

A quadrilateral is a four-sided polygon, like a square, rectangle, or rhombus. The computer screen you are looking at right now is probably in the shape of a quadrilateral. The quadrilateral is a shape you'll learn about in geometry. Quadrilaterals include more than one type of shape, but all quadrilaterals have four sides. The most common type of quadrilateral is the square, but rectangles and rhombuses are quadrilaterals too. Quadrilaterals are also called quadrangles and tetragons. When you see the word quadrilateral, think "four sides".

Example Sentences

The ships will then join naval exercises in Australia as part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, a group that also includes Japan and the United States.

From Reuters • Aug. 2, 2023

It was Shinzo Abe who in 2007 became the first major leader to formally propose the so-called Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, a loose alliance comprising the U.S.,

From Washington Times • Jul. 6, 2023

Kirby pointed out Biden will meet with the leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue — or the Quad alliance — on the sidelines of the G7 summit.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2023

Formally referred to as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, the Quad began as a loose grouping of countries following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that banded together to provide humanitarian and disaster assistance.

From BBC • May 24, 2022

On the 1st of October the cables brought the news of the fall of the Quadrilateral, the storming of Hamburg, and the retreat of the British forces on Antwerp.

From The Angel of the Revolution A Tale of the Coming Terror by Griffith, George Chetwynd