rectangle

noun

rect·​an·​gle ˈrek-ˌtaŋ-gəl 

: a parallelogram all of whose angles are right angles

especially : one with adjacent sides of unequal length

Examples of rectangle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One half of the pitch was enveloped by a Qatari flag, the other was covered by a red rectangle emblazoned with a white cross. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 June 2026

Saddleback Caterpillar has a stout, brown body about an inch long with a bright green rectangle and an oval saddle marking on its back. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 22 June 2026

The way the celebrations are performances now, too, with a sea of glowing rectangles held aloft as the fourth quarter ticked away tensely. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 14 June 2026

Starting along short side of rectangle, lay 4 pieces of pepperoni side by side, half-inch apart, and roll into tight cylinder, pinching seam to seal. — ABC News, 29 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin rectangulus having a right angle, from Latin rectus right + angulus angle — more at right, angle

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

rectangle

noun

rect·​an·​gle ˈrek-ˌtaŋ-gəl 

: a four-sided polygon that has four right angles and each pair of opposite sides parallel and of the same length

Etymology

from Latin rectangulus "having a right angle," from earlier Latin rectus "right" and angulus "angle"