quadrilateral

1 of 2

noun

quad·​ri·​lat·​er·​al ˌkwä-drə-ˈla-t(ə-)rəl 

: a polygon of four sides

quadrilateral

2 of 2

adjective

: having four sides

Examples of quadrilateral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Complex geometries are deployed to resolve atypical spaces including triangles, circles and quadrilaterals that defy conventional rectangular rooms, or furnishings. —Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026

Four bright stars forming a neat quadrilateral, the Great Square of Pegasus anchors the constellation Pegasus, the mythical winged horse. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Adjective

Highlights from the first hundred years of this magazine’s most succinct, quadrilateral humor. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025

Whether the sight of Swift—who was photographed beside Gigi Hadid while en route to New York’s Zero Bond in a coordinating dark velvet coat, leather trousers and polka-dot top—will kick-start a moment for quadrilateral boots is as speculative as the easter-egg theories. —Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin quadrilaterus four-sided, from quadri- + later-, latus side

First Known Use

Noun

1650, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1656, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for quadrilateral

• basolateral
• contralateral
• dorsolateral
• equilateral
• ipsilateral
• multilateral
• unilateral
• ventrolateral
• anterolateral
• posterolateral
• bilateral
• collateral

Kids Definition

quadrilateral

1 of 2 adjective

quad·​ri·​lat·​er·​al ˌkwäd-rə-ˈlat-ə-rəl 

-ˈla-trəl

: having four sides

quadrilateral

2 of 2 noun

: a polygon with four sides and four angles

Medical Definition

quadrilateral

adjective

quad·​ri·​lat·​er·​al ˌkwäd-rə-ˈlat-ə-rəl, -ˈla-trəl 

: having four sides

a quadrilateral muscle