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

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

All of the medals from the Paris Games also feature an 18-gram, hexagonal piece of wrought iron from the Eiffel Tower.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 9, 2024

"I wanted to find a particular roofing slate type, which tends to be hexagonal, with a long point on," he said.

From BBC • Aug. 2, 2024

When Werner is done with his food, he lets himself into the top- floor suite and stands in the hexagonal bathtub.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr