trapezoid

noun

trap·​e·​zoid ˈtra-pə-ˌzȯid 

1

a

: a quadrilateral having only two sides parallel

b

British : trapezium sense 1a

2

: a bone in the wrist at the base of the metacarpal of the index finger

trapezoidal

ˌtra-pə-ˈzȯi-dᵊl 

adjective

Illustration of trapezoid

• trapezoid 1a

Examples of trapezoid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cut the white space out of the middle of the trapezoid. — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026

The pieces slide into place via module connectors that look like grooved trapezoids and rectangles. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 1 Sep. 2025

On the right side of the room, a steel cut image is projected from the wall with fiberglass rods arranged in an off center trapezoid. — Mario Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025

Laferriere got his eighth of the season on a one-timer in the slot set up by Adrian Kempe from the trapezoid. — CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin trapezoïdes, from Greek trapezoeidēs trapezium-shaped, from trapeza table

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for trapezoid

• adenoid
• alkaloid
• amoeboid
• amyloid
• aneroid
• arachnoid
• asteroid
• benzenoid
• carcinoid
• celluloid
• coronoid
• humanoid

Kids Definition

trapezoid

noun

trap·​e·​zoid ˈtrap-ə-ˌzȯid 

: a polygon that has four sides and exactly two that are parallel

trapezoidal

ˌtrap-ə-ˈzȯid-ᵊl 

adjective

Medical Definition

trapezoid

noun

trap·​e·​zoid ˈtrap-ə-ˌzȯid 

: a bone in the distal row of the carpus at the base of the index finger

called also lesser multangular, trapezoid bone, trapezoideum