apothem

[ ap-uh-them ]

/ ˈæp əˌθɛm /

Save This Word!

noun Geometry.

a perpendicular from the center of a regular polygon to one of its sides.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of apothem

1855–60; <French apothème, probably on the model of Greek hypóthēma base; see apo-, theme

Words nearby apothem

apothecaries' weight, apothecary, apothecary jar, apothecium, apothegm, apothem, apotheosis, apotheosize, apotropaic, apotropaism, app

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use apothem in a sentence

I have mentioned the above to show how very nearly these ratios agree with my exact ratio of 21 to 34 half base to apothem.
The Solution of the Pyramid Problem|Robert Ballard
In the Pyramid Cheops, altitude is very nearly a mean proportional between apothem and half base.
The Solution of the Pyramid Problem|Robert Ballard
The "Apothem is a perpendicular from the vertex of a pyramid on a side of the base."
The Solution of the Pyramid Problem|Robert Ballard
In any pyramid, the apothem is to half the base as the area of the four sides is to the area of the base.
The Solution of the Pyramid Problem|Robert Ballard

A peculiarity of this pyramid is, that base is to altitude as apothem is to half base.
The Solution of the Pyramid Problem|Robert Ballard

British Dictionary definitions for apothem

apothem

/ (ˈæpəˌθɛm) /

noun

the perpendicular line or distance from the centre of a regular polygon to any of its sides

Word Origin for apothem

C20: from apo- + Greek thema, from tithenai to place

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012