rectilinear

adjective

rec·​ti·​lin·​e·​ar ˌrek-tə-ˈli-nē-ər How to pronounce rectilinear (audio)
1
: moving in or forming a straight line
rectilinear motion
2
: characterized by straight lines
the rectilinear skyline of a modern city
3
rectilinearity noun
rectilinearly adverb

Examples of rectilinear in a Sentence

the rectilinear skyline of a modern city
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Under an oftentimes lofty ceiling, these heavenly stunners tend to be long, rectilinear stretches of topaz water and are oftentimes an element of the spa or wellness center. Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 7 Aug. 2025 Most homes follow a fairly rectilinear design scheme, in which each room acts as a sort of jewel box, bound by right angles and straight lines. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2025 Up front, its face is a far more rectilinear sneer. Brett Berk, Robb Report, 8 July 2025 The design of the museum has morphed over the years, from a dark, curvaceous amoeba-like form that echoed the nearby La Brea Tar Pits to a design that retains the curves up top but shifts to rectilinear glass on the galleries level below. August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for rectilinear

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin rectilineus, from Latin rectus + linea line

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rectilinear was in 1651

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Cite this Entry

“Rectilinear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rectilinear. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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