trapezoid

[trap-uh-zoid]

noun

1. Geometry.

   1. a quadrilateral plane figure having two parallel and two nonparallel sides.

   2. British.,  trapezium.

2. Anatomy.,  a bone in the wrist that articulates with the metacarpal bone of the forefinger.

adjective

1. Geometry.,  Also trapezoidal. of, relating to, or having the form of a trapezoid.

trapezoid

/ ˈtræpɪˌzɔɪd /

noun

1. a quadrilateral having neither pair of sides parallel

2. Also called: trapezium. a quadrilateral having two parallel sides of unequal length

3. a small bone of the wrist near the base of the index finger

trapezoid

1. A four-sided plane figure having two parallel sides.

trapezoid

1. A four-sided polygon in which two sides are parallel and two are not.

Other Word Forms

• posttrapezoid adjective
• subtrapezoid adjective
• subtrapezoidal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of trapezoid¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; from New Latin trapezoīdēs, from Late Greek trapezoeidḗs “trapezium-like”; trapezium, -oid

Word History and Origins

Origin of trapezoid¹

C18: from New Latin trapezoidēs , from Late Greek trapezoeidēs trapezium-shaped, from trapeza table

Example Sentences

Each wire branch — ending in sheet-metal trapezoid and triangular petals painted primary blue, yellow, red and white — holds the next aloft, like dancers balancing on each other’s shoulders.

From Seattle Times

During those experiments, Schwartz cut open a Möbius band and realized, “Oh, my God, it’s not the parallelogram. It’s a trapezoid.”

From Scientific American

After a series of emergency meetings, the circle became a trapezoid.

From Washington Post

So he pairs two pictures, one featuring pulpy dots and the other straight-edged triangles and trapezoids.

From Washington Post

Most dynamic are the pictures in which jauntily arranged trapezoids, grouped tightly together, appear to fracture.

From Washington Post