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

The Plaza Hotel, by architect Johan Anrys, of the Belgian firm 51N4E, starts as an ellipse at its base and morphs into a rectangle at its crown. — Fred A. Bernstein, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2026

The best, the least mediocre, unfortunately, is Tadao Ando, the better of whose work derives from Kahn, the plain modular rectangles made of concrete framed by verticals and, less clear even in Kahn, the geometric cuts and sections. — Julian Rose, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026

Cut it into three strips and cut each strip in half to make 6 rectangles. — Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026

The hardest part of the recipe is letting the bars cool completely before cutting them into rectangles and serving. — Martha Stewart, 9 Oct. 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"