cylindrical

American  

[si-lin-dri-kuhl] / sɪˈlɪn drɪ kəl /

Also cylindric

adjective

1. of, relating to, or having the form of a cylinder.

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cylindrical British  

/ sɪˈlɪndrɪk, sɪˈlɪndrɪkəl /

adjective

1. of, shaped like, or characteristic of a cylinder

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Other Word Forms

• cylindricality noun
• cylindrically adverb
• cylindricalness noun
• subcylindric adjective
• subcylindrical adjective

Etymology

Origin of cylindrical

1640–50; < New Latin cylindric ( us ) (< Greek kylindrikós; cylinder, -ic ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

The machines essentially grow silicon crystals into cylindrical ingots that weigh hundreds of pounds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

Filled with surprising patios, alleys and landings, it’s one of his forays into postmodernism: brightly colored buildings contain, among other features, gabled brick rooflines, extra-bulky columns, long cantilevers and cylindrical steel elevators.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025

Along with AI-generated holograms and sci-fi animation, the heart of the neon-lit venue features a giant cylindrical computer -- presented as the digital mainframe powering the restaurant's lights and smoke shows.

From Barron's • Nov. 30, 2025

Under a strange pink-purple glow, illuminated panels buzz and cylindrical columns of water bubble away, as a futuristic crop of microalgae grows.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2025

Balee plucked out half a dozen pieces of ceramic: shards of pots and plates, a chipped length of cylindrical bar that may have been part of a pot’s support leg.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann