hexagonal

adjective hex·ag·o·nal \ hek-ˈsa-gə-nᵊl \

|Updated on: 6 Jul 2018

Definition of hexagonal

1 : having six angles and six sides

2 : having a hexagon as section or base

3 : relating to or being a crystal system characterized by three equal lateral axes intersecting at angles of 60 degrees and a vertical axis of variable length at right angles

—

hexagonally

play \hek-ˈsa-gə-nᵊl-ē\ adverb

See hexagonal defined for kids

Recent Examples of hexagonal from the Web

The pieces are cut in hexagonal shapes that evoke a soccer ball.

— alex tudela, New York Times, "Gift Ideas for the Vast Array of Dad Types," 13 June 2018
All nanotubes are variations on a theme, with a hexagonal mesh of carbon atoms rolled into a cylinder.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "Process takes CO₂ from the air, converts it to carbon nanotubes," 30 May 2018
The hexagonal Superpod in the center isn't much bigger than Orbi's external power brick, let alone the actual Orbi.

— jim salter, Ars Technica, "Exclusive: Plume’s new “Superpod” hardware is here—and it’s fast," 12 June 2018
It’s this interaction between the light and the hexagonal ice crystals that forms the ring around the moon.

— kathryn prociv, Washington Post, "Skywatchers in Chile were star-struck by this incredible lunar halo," 13 Apr. 2018
To make a giant mirror that wouldn’t deform under its own weight, the TMT’s partners looked for inspiration in a fly’s eye, fragmenting the main 30-meter mirror into nearly 500 small, 1.4-meter hexagonal pieces, each individually adjustable.

— eric hand, Science | AAAS, "Rival giant telescopes join forces to seek U.S. funding," 21 May 2018
The first of 798 hexagonal mirror segments that will make up the ELT, each 4.2 meters (14 feet) wide, were cast early this year.

— jay bennett, Popular Mechanics, "Extremely Large Telescope Construction Is Under Way in Chile," 7 May 2018
This window is flanked by two rectangular windows with muntins that form elegant hexagonal shapes.

— joan walden, courant.com, "63 Westland Avenue, West Hartford," 19 Jan. 2018
The rocker panels on the doors are more pronounced, and the hexagonal grille extends at its widest point into horizontal LEDs.

— robert duffer, chicagotribune.com, "Review: Hyundai Elantra Sport holds its own against Honda Civic, Mazda3," 15 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hexagonal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.