rectangular

adjective

rect·​an·​gu·​lar rek-ˈtaŋ-gyə-lər How to pronounce rectangular (audio)
Synonyms of rectangularnext
1
: shaped like a rectangle
a rectangular area
2
a
: crossing, lying, or meeting at a right angle
rectangular axes
b
: having edges, surfaces, or faces that meet at right angles : having faces or surfaces shaped like rectangles
rectangular parallelepipeds
a rectangular solid
rectangularity
(ˌ)rek-ˌtaŋ-gyə-ˈler-ə-tē How to pronounce rectangular (audio)
-ˈla-rə-tē
noun
rectangularly
rek-ˈtaŋ-gyə-lər-lē How to pronounce rectangular (audio)
adverb

Examples of rectangular in a Sentence

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.
To avoid such a disastrous scenario, try out this compact travel organizer complete with seven slot rolls and three rectangular dividers. — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 Copies of The Late, the book, can be found in a rectangular hole carved into a giant Go board where audience members can lie and peruse the text at their leisure. — Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 30 June 2026 The posts all linked to an official press release on the restaurant's website, which included a lengthy artist's statement that detailed how the large, rectangular collage came together. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026 The Lunar Orbiter is also 34 in wide at the head but has a rectangular 90-in-long (229-cm) floor with no taper. — New Atlas, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for rectangular

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rectangular was circa 1560

Phrases Containing rectangular

Rhymes for rectangular

See All Rhymes for rectangular

Browse Nearby Words

rectangled
rectangular
rectangular coordinate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rectangular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rectangular. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rectangular

adjective
rect·​an·​gu·​lar rek-ˈtaŋ-gyə-lər How to pronounce rectangular (audio)
1
: shaped like a rectangle
a rectangular building
2
: having edges, faces, or surfaces that meet at right angles : having faces or surfaces shaped like rectangles
a rectangular solid
rectangular blocks

More from Merriam-Webster on rectangular

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rectangular

Nglish: Translation of rectangular for Spanish Speakers

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