polygon

[ pol-ee-gon ]

noun

1. a figure, especially a closed plane figure, having three or more, usually straight, sides.

polygon

/ pəˈlɪɡənəl; ˈpɒlɪˌɡɒn /

noun

1. a closed plane figure bounded by three or more straight sides that meet in pairs in the same number of vertices, and do not intersect other than at these vertices. The sum of the interior angles is ( n –2) × 180° for n sides; the sum of the exterior angles is 360°. A regular polygon has all its sides and angles equal. Specific polygons are named according to the number of sides, such as triangle, pentagon, etc

polygon

/ pŏl′ē-gŏn′ /

1. A closed plane figure having three or more sides. Triangles, rectangles, and octagons are all examples of polygons.
2. ◆ A regular polygon is a polygon all of whose sides are the same length and all of whose interior angles are the same measure.

polygon

1. In geometry , a closed figure having three or more sides and lying on one plane .

Derived Forms

• polygonal, adjective
• poˈlygonally, adverb

Other Words From

• po·lyg·o·nal [p, uh, -, lig, -, uh, -nl], adjective
• po·lygo·nal·ly adverb
• subpo·lygo·nal adjective
• subpo·lygo·nal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of polygon¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin polygōnum, from Greek polýgōnon, noun use of neuter of polýgōnos “many-angled”; poly-, -gon

Word History and Origins

Origin of polygon¹

C16: via Latin from Greek polugōnon figure with many angles

Example Sentences

But on rare occasions, designers choose to build their interactive worlds not from pixels and polygons but from physical materials like cardboard and clay.

From New York Times

“We want them to come back and be the classic beautiful white salt flats that they should be,” Andler said of her appreciation for the salt polygons.

From Los Angeles Times

Using survey information, experts will create polygons on a map showing areas of focus, Hiznay said.

From Reuters

They whittled down the area to what they came to call the polygon, which left them with several hundred homes around First Avenue in Massapequa Park, law enforcement officials said.

From Seattle Times

“Who would believe that a little polygon could kick up such a fuss,” said Marjorie Senechal, a mathematician at Smith College who is on the roster of speakers for the event.

From New York Times

Related Words

• shape