polygon

noun

poly·​gon ˈpä-lē-ˌgän 

1

: a closed plane figure bounded by straight lines

2

: a closed figure on a sphere bounded by arcs of great circles

polygonal

pə-ˈli-gə-nᵊl 

adjective

polygonally

pə-ˈli-gə-nᵊl-ē 

adverb

Examples of polygon in a Sentence

Pentagons, hexagons, and octagons are all kinds of polygons.

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2024, all the best independent horror games are rooted in the original PlayStation’s fibrous, lo-fi textures and long-nosed polygons. —Ashley Bardhan, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2024

These are often found near or in relation to the lines and polygons and may be associated with pilgrimages, ceremonies associated with the solstices, larger trade routes, and gatherings, and have also been correlated to subterranean water sources. —Carly Miller, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024

Geometric polygons are another group of glyphs that include trapezoids and other shapes. —Carly Miller, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024

Think of bathroom floors, with regular polygons repeating in a pattern wall-to-wall. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin polygōnum, borrowed from Greek polýgōnon, from poly- poly- + -gōnon -gon

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing polygon

• spherical polygon

Kids Definition

polygon

noun

poly·​gon ˈpäl-i-ˌgän 

: a geometric figure that is closed, that lies in a plane, and whose edges are all straight lines

triangles, squares, and pentagons are all polygons

polygonal

pə-ˈlig-ən-ᵊl 

adjective