rectangular

[rek-tang-gyuh-ler]

adjective

1. shaped like a rectangle.

2. having the base or section in the form of a rectangle.

   a rectangular pyramid.

3. having one or more right angles.

4. forming a right angle.

rectangular

/ rɛkˈtæŋɡjʊlə /

adjective

1. shaped like a rectangle

2. having or relating to right angles

3. mutually perpendicular

   rectangular coordinates

4. having a base or section shaped like a rectangle

Other Word Forms

• rectangularity noun
• rectangularness noun
• rectangularly adverb
• nonrectangular adjective
• nonrectangularly adverb
• nonrectangularity noun
• subrectangular adjective
• unrectangular adjective
• unrectangularly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of rectangular¹

1615–25; < Medieval Latin rēctangul ( um ) rectangle + -ar ¹

Example Sentences

Extra credit goes to Air’s creative direction and lighting designer, who locked the band inside a rectangular elevated platform that gave the look of performing inside a James Turrell sculpture.

From Los Angeles Times

Such frames are made up of horizontal beams and vertical columns, and feature a largely rectangular skeleton.

From Los Angeles Times

Just like rats, human participants were consistently able to estimate the distance correctly when they were in a symmetrical, rectangular box.

From BBC

The castle had a rectangular stone tower similar to a keep, a type of heavily fortified stronghold found in castles in Carlisle, Bamburgh and Lancaster in England.

From BBC

You can usually buy large rectangular loaves at your local bakery or grocery store.

From Salon