rectangle

noun rect·an·gle \ ˈrek-ˌtaŋ-gəl \

|Updated on: 5 Jun 2018

Definition of rectangle

: a parallelogram all of whose angles are right angles; especially : one with adjacent sides of unequal length

See rectangle defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of rectangle from the Web

In geometry, this number produces some fascinating patterns, such as a golden rectangle.

— jay bennett, Popular Mechanics, "The Mysteries of the Golden Ratio Explained by Math and Sunflowers," 11 May 2018
Personal communication comes in the form of a list of bubbles spilling down a rectangle.

— ian bogost, The Atlantic, "'Stories’ Are for Smartphones," 3 May 2018
Roll the dough to form a rectangle that is roughly 9-by-12 inches.

— nik sharma, San Francisco Chronicle, "A Brown Kitchen: Savory Lamb Swirl Buns," 16 Mar. 2018
Name: Franco Papagno Age: 52 Profession: Lawyer Notice how Franco's original jacket is shaped like a perfect rectangle?

— nick marino, GQ, "Project Upgrade: Dolce & Gabbana Bring Sexy Back," 12 Jan. 2018
Top each cup with a phyllo rectangle and fold corners toward sides of cups.

— House Beautiful, "Sandra Lee's Mini Chicken Potpies," 12 Sep. 2012
As the light begins to fail in the mouth of the Carrier driveway, the rectangles of sun are replaced by a sepia tone as the light is filtered by dust and exhaust in the post-industrial air.

— tom chiarella and james lynch, Popular Mechanics, "The Last Shift: What Really Happened To Those Carrier Jobs Trump Saved," 15 May 2018
Pedestrians are depicted as yellow rectangles, other vehicles are purple boxes, and so forth.

— andrew j. hawkins, The Verge, "Inside Waymo’s strategy to grow the best brains for self-driving cars," 9 May 2018
The doorbell is a rectangle with a button that makes the sound as well as a camera mounted above it.

— ryan gillespie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Orlando deal with Ring security gives police broader access to crime-fighting tool," 1 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of rectangle

Medieval Latin rectangulus having a right angle, from Latin rectus right + angulus angle — more at right, angle

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1560

in the meaning defined above

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RECTANGLE Defined for English Language Learners

rectangle

noun

Definition of rectangle for English Language Learners

geometry : a four-sided shape that is made up of two pairs of parallel lines and that has four right angles; especially : a shape in which one pair of lines is longer than the other pair

RECTANGLE Defined for Kids

rectangle

noun rect·an·gle \ ˈrek-ˌtaŋ-gəl \

Definition of rectangle for Students

: a flat geometric four-sided figure with right angles and with opposite sides parallel

Word Root of rectangle

The Latin word rēctus, meaning “straight” or “right,” gives us the root rect. Words from the Latin rēctus have something to do with being straight or correct. Something erect stands straight up. Something correct is right. A rectangle is a shape made of four straight lines and four right angles.