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

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

Some decapods, like lobsters and shrimp, have a thick cylindrical abdomen with a muscular tail for snapping backwards at high speed and burrowing on the seabed.

From BBC • Oct. 17, 2025

During a recent demonstration at Las Virgenes Reservoir, Tim Quinn, the company’s water policy strategist, watched as the 12-foot-long cylindrical prototype was lowered underwater on a cable.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2025

A strip of plastic had been drawn back in the casing above each of the screens to reveal a small compartment, cylindrical and about five inches deep.

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz