hexagonal

American  

[hek-sag-uh-nl] / hɛkˈsæg ə nl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or having the form of a hexagon.

2. having a hexagon as a base or cross section.

   a hexagonal prism.

3. divided into hexagons, as a surface.

4. Crystallography. noting or pertaining to a system of crystallization in which three equal axes intersect at angles of 60° on one plane, and the fourth axis, of a different length, intersects them perpendicularly.

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hexagonal British  

/ hɛkˈsæɡənəl /

adjective

1. having six sides and six angles

2. of or relating to a hexagon

3. crystallog relating or belonging to the crystal system characterized by three equal coplanar axes inclined at 60° to each other and a fourth longer or shorter axis at right angles to their plane See also trigonal

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hexagonal Scientific  

/ hĕk-săg′ə-nəl /

1. Having six sides.

2. Relating to a crystal having three axes of equal length intersecting at angles of 60° in one plane, and a fourth axis of a different length that is perpendicular to this plane. The mineral calcite has hexagonal crystals.

3. See illustration at crystal

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Other Word Forms

• hexagonally adverb
• pseudohexagonal adjective
• pseudohexagonally adverb
• subhexagonal adjective

Etymology

Origin of hexagonal

First recorded in 1565–75; hexagon + -al ¹

Example Sentences

A small hexagonal black coffee table is perched in front of the couch, while a black-and-tan patterned rug adds some texture and depth to the space.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

Graphene is made of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal pattern that looks like chicken wire.

From Science Daily • Nov. 8, 2025

The gold ring, which has a central hexagonal cabochon sapphire with two emeralds and two garnets, was uncovered by detectorist Mark Sell, 63, in King Row, Shipdham, in 2019.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2025

Youn and colleagues arranged their seven insulating rods in a kirigami-inspired hexagonal array that, with the turn of a gear, would expand to change the frequency of the higher mode.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 20, 2024

Joe tromped loudly into the house and transferred the twelve birdlets from his pockets into an old-fashioned, hexagonal glass-paneled ballot jar which he had bought for five bucks at a Monte Vista, Colorado, auction.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols