rectangle

[ rek-tang-guhl ]

noun

1. a parallelogram having four right angles.

rectangle

/ ˈrɛkˌtæŋɡəl /

noun

1. a parallelogram having four right angles Compare rhombus

rectangle

/ rĕk′tăng′gəl /

1. A four-sided plane figure with four right angles.

Word History and Origins

Origin of rectangle¹

1565–75; < Medieval Latin rēctangulum, Late Latin rēctiangulum right-angled triangle (noun use of neuter of rēctiangulus having a right angle), equivalent to rēcti- recti- + angulum angle ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of rectangle¹

C16: from Medieval Latin rectangulum , from Latin rectus straight + angulus angle

Example Sentences

He described drawing a “big red rectangle” over Mead Valley’s industrial zone, indicating where he believed the boundaries of warehouse development should remain.

From Los Angeles Times

The rainbow backs four tall, mirrored towers out front in the room, configured in the shapes of a triangle, square, rectangle and circle, each raised off the floor on spindly legs.

From Los Angeles Times

Nearby, irregular, rusty red rectangles stamped from an unidentified frame are laid end-to-end on a scroll of white paper that runs across a low, horizontal pedestal before bending up to climb a wall.

From Los Angeles Times

ABC conveyed the scope of the convictions with a crowded graphic that listed each count with “GUILTY” in a red rectangle, like a departures board at an airport.

From New York Times

He is best known for his all-blue monochrome paintings, those rectangles of unalloyed color that are invariably the first thing you notice when one is present.

From New York Times

Related Words

• square