two-dimensional

[too-di-men-shuh-nl, -dahy-]

adjective

1. having the dimensions of height and width only.

   a two-dimensional surface.

2. (of a work of art) having its elements organized in terms of a flat surface, especially emphasizing the vertical and horizontal character of the picture plane.

   the two-dimensional structure of a painting.

3. (in a literary work) shallow, unconvincing, or superficial in execution.

   a novel having two-dimensional characters.

two-dimensional

adjective

1. of, having, or relating to two dimensions, usually describable in terms of length and breadth or length and height

2. lying on a plane; having an area but not enclosing any volume

3. lacking in depth, as characters in a literary work

4. (of painting or drawing) lacking the characteristics of form or depth

Other Word Forms

• two-dimensionality noun
• two-dimensionally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of two-dimensional¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Scientists have long known that electrons in thin, two-dimensional materials can solidify into Wigner crystals, a concept first proposed in 1934.

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The team made this discovery with a new experimental system that lets them directly observe how the superconducting gap forms in two-dimensional materials.

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Where “Arco” mesmerizes with its less-conventional animation style, “Little Amélie” employs swaths of eye-popping color, broad shapes and thoughtfully rendered two-dimensional art style and camera movements to bewitch slightly younger viewers.

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When arranged in just the right ways, two-dimensional materials can display unusual and valuable quantum effects such as superconductivity and exotic types of magnetism.

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Since then, they have exchanged visits between Texas and Portugal and combined their expertise to explore how two-dimensional materials can be used to advance cancer therapies.

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