triangle

American  

[trahy-ang-guhl] / ˈtraɪˌæŋ gəl /

noun

1. a closed plane figure having three sides and three angles.

2. a flat triangular piece, usually of plastic, with straight edges, used in connection with a T square for drawing perpendicular lines, geometric figures, etc.

3. any three-cornered or three-sided figure, object, or piece.

   a triangle of land.

4. a musical percussion instrument that consists of a steel triangle, open at one corner, that is struck with a steel rod.

5. a group of three; triad.

6. a situation involving three persons, especially one in which two of them are in love with the third.

7. Astronomy. Triangle, the constellation Triangulum.

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triangle British  

/ ˈtraɪˌæŋɡəl /

noun

1. geometry a three-sided polygon that can be classified by angle, as in an acute triangle, or by side, as in an equilateral triangle. Sum of interior angles: 180°; area: 1/ 2 base × height

2. any object shaped like a triangle

3. any situation involving three parties or points of view See also eternal triangle

4. music a percussion instrument consisting of a sonorous metal bar bent into a triangular shape, beaten with a metal stick

5. a group of three

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triangle Scientific  

/ trī′ăng′gəl /

1. A closed geometric figure consisting of three sides.

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triangle Idioms  

1. see eternal triangle.

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Other Word Forms

• triangled adjective

Etymology

Origin of triangle

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin triangulum, noun use of neuter of triangulus “three-cornered”, tri-, angle ¹

Example Sentences

A key concept in this area is the "Schweikart triangle," a special type of triangle with one right angle and two zero angles.

From Science Daily

Kennedy took shots at an old food pyramid while standing by a poster showing his new pyramid, which looks like a triangle pointing down.

From MarketWatch

AB InBev’s ABI -0.77%decrease; red down pointing triangle metal container plant operations span seven facilities across six states, providing supply security for brands and cost efficiencies for the company, it said.

From The Wall Street Journal

General Motors GM 2.54%increase; green up pointing triangle and several rivals reported year-end sales slumps, an ominous sign that U.S. auto sales will slow this year as consumers push back on higher prices.

From The Wall Street Journal

If that is not the setup for some gloriously messy family drama, I don’t know what is — and that’s not even taking into account a potential love triangle.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adultery
• affair
• courtship
• dalliance
• devotion
• fling
• flirtation
• infidelity
• involvement
• liaison
• love
• passion
• relationship
• tryst