-hedron

1. a combining form meaning “face,” used in the names of geometrical solid figures having the form or number of faces specified by the initial element:

   tetrahedron.

-hedron

combining form

1. indicating a geometric solid having a specified number of faces or surfaces

   tetrahedron

Derived Forms

• -hedral, combining_form:in_adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of -hedron¹

< Greek -edron, neuter of -edros having bases, -sided, equivalent to ( h ) édr ( a ) seat, face of a geometrical form ( cathedra ) + -os adj. suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of -hedron¹

from Greek -edron -sided, from hedra seat, base

Words That Use -hedron

What does -hedron mean?

The combining form -hedron is used like a suffix meaning “face.” It is often used in geometry to name solid geometric figures.

The form -hedron comes from Greek -edron, meaning “having bases,” which is based on hédrā, meaning “seat” or “face of a geometrical form.”

What are variants of -hedron?

While -hedron doesn’t have any variants, it is related to the form -hedral, which is used to form adjectives related to nouns ending in -hedron, such as trihedral. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article about -hedral.

Examples of -hedron

One example of a term from geometry that uses the form -hedron is trihedron, “the figure determined by three planes meeting in a point.”

The form tri- means “three,” as you may have guessed. We already know that the suffix -hedron means “face.” Trihedron literally translates to “three faces.”

What are some words that use the combining form -hedron?

• decahedron
• icosahedron (using the equivalent form of -hedron in Greek)
• octahedron (using the equivalent form of -hedron in Greek)
• polyhedron (using the equivalent form of -hedron in Greek)
• scalenohedron
• tetrahedron

What are some other forms that -hedron may be commonly confused with?

• -drome
• -tron

Break it down!

The combining form deca- means “ten.” With this in mind, what does decahedron literally mean?