quadrangle

American  

[kwod-rang-guhl] / ˈkwɒdˌræŋ gəl /

noun

1. a plane figure having four angles and four sides, as a square.

2. a square or quadrangular space or court that is surrounded by a building or buildings, as on a college campus.

3. the building or buildings around such a space or court.

4. the area shown on one of the standard topographic map sheets published by the U.S. Geological Survey: approximately 17 miles (27 km) north to south and from 11 to 15 miles (17 to 24 km) east to west.

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quadrangle British  

/ kwɒˈdræŋɡjʊlə, ˈkwɒdˌræŋɡəl /

noun

1. geometry a plane figure consisting of four points connected by four lines. In a complete quadrangle , six lines connect all pairs of points

2. Often shortened to: quad.  a rectangular courtyard, esp one having buildings on all four sides

3. the building surrounding such a courtyard

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Other Word Forms

• quadrangled
  adjective
• quadrangular
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of quadrangle

1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin quadrangulum, noun use of neuter of Latin quadrangulus, quadriangulus four-cornered. See quadr-, angle ¹

Explanation

A quadrangle is a four-sided polygon, like a square or rectangle. On a college campus, the quadrangle could be the grassy rectangular space between dorms, where co-eds throw Frisbees and flirt. Most college campuses have at least one quadrangle, a rectangular public area made cozy by surrounding buildings. The college quadrangle is almost always referred to as the quad, and this has been true since the 1820s when it became popular slang at Oxford University. The Late Latin quadrangulum, or "four-sided figure," inspired the word quadrangle.

Example Sentences

A 60-room, brick-and-stone manor built in a quadrangle around a timber-framed hall, Hopwood Hall had seen better centuries.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

He said at 04:50 he saw vehicles enter the palace's quadrangle and zoomed in to see the gang approach.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2025

Ciulla pulled together quadrangle maps, rectangular maps that cover a set amount of latitude and longitude and were mapped at a scale where one inch represents 2000 feet.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2024

That should supposedly discourage illicit fishermen from risking their expensive gear in the “zero tolerance area,” a rough quadrangle considered the last holdout for the vaquitas.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 30, 2023

The dark quadrangle was still full of the chill night air.

From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman