hexagonal

[ hek-sag-uh-nl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or having the form of a hexagon.
2. having a hexagon as a base or cross section:

   a hexagonal prism.

3. divided into hexagons, as a surface.
4. Crystallography. noting or pertaining to a system of crystallization in which three equal axes intersect at angles of 60° on one plane, and the fourth axis, of a different length, intersects them perpendicularly.

hexagonal

/ hɛkˈsæɡənəl /

adjective

1. having six sides and six angles
2. of or relating to a hexagon
3. crystallog relating or belonging to the crystal system characterized by three equal coplanar axes inclined at 60° to each other and a fourth longer or shorter axis at right angles to their plane See also trigonal

hexagonal

/ hĕk-săg′ə-nəl /

1. Having six sides.
2. Relating to a crystal having three axes of equal length intersecting at angles of 60° in one plane, and a fourth axis of a different length that is perpendicular to this plane. The mineral calcite has hexagonal crystals.
3. See illustration at crystal

Derived Forms

• hexˈagonally, adverb

Other Words From

• hex·ago·nal·ly adverb
• pseudo·hex·ago·nal adjective
• pseudo·hex·ago·nal·ly adverb
• subhex·ago·nal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hexagonal¹

First recorded in 1565–75; hexagon + -al ¹

Example Sentences

All of the medals from the Paris Games also feature an 18-gram, hexagonal piece of wrought iron from the Eiffel Tower.

From Los Angeles Times

"I wanted to find a particular roofing slate type, which tends to be hexagonal, with a long point on," he said.

From BBC

The Olympic and Paralympic medals in Paris are being embedded with pieces from a hexagonal chunk of iron taken from the tower.

From Seattle Times

These values surpass those of commonly used materials such as silicon dioxide and hexagonal boron nitride.

From Science Daily

The Olympic and Paralympic medals in Paris are being embedded with pieces from a hexagonal chunk of iron taken from the monument.

From Seattle Times