hexagon
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of hexagon
From the Greek word hexágōnon, dating back to 1560–70. See hexa-, -gon
Explanation
The name of a shape depends on how many sides it has. A hexagon is a polygon that has six sides. Remember the "x" in "six" and "hex," and you'll be fine. Many of our words in science and math hearken back to the Greek, and hexagon is no exception. The idea of a six-sided figure comes from the Greek hexágōnon, with gonia meaning "angle," which makes sense, as a hexagon not only has six sides, but six angles, or vertices. There are various types of hexagons, including the "regular hexagon" (where all the sides and angles are equal to each other) and the "irregular hexagon" (which has unequal angles and sides).
Vocabulary lists containing hexagon
Geometry - Introductory
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The ACT Math Test: Geometry, List 2
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Geometry - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Hexagon intends to finance the deal with cash and existing debt, with closing expected in the second half of 2026.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026
Qualcomm’s new servers will use Hexagon NPU technology, supporting up to 768 gigabytes of memory for AI inference workloads.
From Barron's • Oct. 27, 2025
The Hexagon, the Berkshire town's main theatre venue, was built when Raac was commonly used.
From BBC • Sep. 13, 2023
Ziemert's target seeker has shown such promise that start-up company Hexagon Bio has built a similar tool to mine fungus genomes for promising compounds.
From Scientific American • Aug. 27, 2022
"And are you, too, a Happy Hexagon?" he asked, turning to the mistress of the Six Star Ranch.
From The Sunbridge Girls at Six Star Ranch by Porter, Eleanor H. (Eleanor Hodgman)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.