dodecahedron

noun

do·​deca·​he·​dron (ˌ)dō-ˌde-kə-ˈhē-drən 

plural dodecahedrons or dodecahedra (ˌ)dō-ˌde-kə-ˈhē-drə 

: a solid having 12 plane faces

dodecahedral

(ˌ)dō-ˌde-kə-ˈhē-drəl 

adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The stars are projected accurately on the ceiling by a single lightbulb shining through pinholes in a black, metal dodecahedron. —Dean Regas, The Enquirer, 25 Feb. 2023

Experts believe the piece belonged to a dodecahedron that measured roughly two inches across. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2023

Among the artifacts recovered is a rare Roman dodecahedron, or hollow copper object possibly used as a weapon or measuring device, as scholar Michael Guggenberger wrote in a 2013 Mathematical Intelligencer article. —Isis Davis-marks, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Dec. 2020

Now Jayadev Athreya, David Aulicino and Patrick Hooper have shown that an infinite number of such paths do in fact exist on the dodecahedron. —Quanta Magazine, 31 Aug. 2020

Now, a trio of mathematicians has resolved one of the most basic questions about the dodecahedron. —Quanta Magazine, 31 Aug. 2020

The dodecahedron symbolized all the heavenly bodies — the stars and planets, each perfect in shape and movement. —Quanta Magazine, 16 June 2020

Here, the walls are decorated simply with some abstract decals, and bare light bulbs caged in metal dodecahedrons hang from the ceiling. —San Francisco Chronicle, 29 Nov. 2019

This show was originally installed at Oakville Galleries, in Oakville, Ontario, on the outer walls of a dodecahedron, a 12-sided structure. —Cate Mcquaid, BostonGlobe.com, 30 May 2018

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Word History

Etymology

Greek dōdekaedron, from dōdeka- + -edron -hedron

First Known Use

circa 1570, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

dodecahedron

noun

do·​deca·​he·​dron (ˌ)dō-ˌdek-ə-ˈhē-drən 

plural dodecahedrons or dodecahedra -drə 

: a polyhedron that has 12 faces