trapezoid

American  

[trap-uh-zoid] / ˈtræp əˌzɔɪd /

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.

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adjective

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

trapezoid British  

/ 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

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trapezoid Scientific  

/ trăp′ĭ-zoid′ /

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

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trapezoid Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• posttrapezoid adjective
• subtrapezoid adjective
• subtrapezoidal adjective

Etymology

Origin of trapezoid

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

Example Sentences

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

He’s a trapezoid peg in the square hole of signal callers.

From Washington Post

On a map of Los Angeles County, census tract 124300 is shaped like a trapezoid.

From Los Angeles Times