conical

adjective

con·​i·​cal ˈkä-ni-kəl How to pronounce conical (audio)
: resembling a cone especially in shape
conically
ˈkä-ni-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce conical (audio)
adverb

Examples of conical in a Sentence

The tree has a conical shape.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Physical description The oyamel fir is characterized by its straight gray trunk and narrow conical crown and typically grows between 40 and 60 meters (130–200 feet) tall. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026 The agaves were cooked in a conical stone oven, milled using a tahona stone, fermented in pinewood vats for 10 days with wild yeast, and double distilled in copper pot stills. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2026 The shoes are covered in bordeaux eel skin with subtle linear patterning and feature a sharp toe, gently squared vamp and conical heel measuring 105mm. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026 This means a petal possesses a kind of conical structure, which is compatible with a flat geometry and therefore shouldn’t create any internal tension. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conical

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of conical was in 1570

Rhymes for conical

See All Rhymes for conical

Browse Nearby Words

conic
conical
conicality
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Conical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conical. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

conical

adjective
con·​i·​cal ˈkän-i-kəl How to pronounce conical (audio)
: shaped like a cone
a conical cap
conically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce conical (audio)
adverb

Medical Definition

conical

adjective
con·​i·​cal ˈkän-i-kəl How to pronounce conical (audio)
variants or conic
ˈkän-ik How to pronounce conical (audio)
: resembling a cone especially in shape
conically
-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce conical (audio)
adverb
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