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

Carey turns to married friends Julie (Dakota Johnson) and Paul (director Michael Angelo Corvino), learns about their open marriage, and a complicated love trapezoid ensues. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026

In the Olympics, goalies continued to be free to play the puck anywhere behind the goal line until the IIHF adopted the trapezoid in 2021. —Jesse Granger, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026

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