rectangle

noun rect·an·gle \ ˈrek-ˌtaŋ-gəl \

|Updated on: 14 Aug 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

Make long rectangles or large square sheets of pasta by running the dough through a pasta machine until thin, or continue rolling as thin as possible.

— nancy miller, The Courier-Journal, "Ciao Ristorante is Italian food with the ultimate Sicilian twist," 3 July 2018
Like a surgeon giving himself a wide margin around a tumor, workers cut large rectangles of pavement around these asphalt blemishes before filling them in again.

— john kelly, Washington Post, "From potholes to perfect pavement: My neighborhood has lovely new streets," 24 June 2018
Citing the book’s authors, The Telegraph reports that a rectangle of four Sarsen stones, or sandstone blocks, when split in half diagonally, forms a perfect Pythagorean 5:12:13 triangle.

— james rogers, Fox News, "Stonehenge secret: Did builders use Pythagoras' theorem 2,000 years before the philosopher lived?," 21 June 2018
The caterer has also suggested the steak frites, a slender rectangle of beef encircled by a flat ribbon of fried potato that floats inches above it, anchored at the base.

— karen stabiner, New York Times, "For the State-of-the-Art Wedding Feast, ‘Look Is Everything’," 18 June 2018
On duty inside the queue, a rectangle of about 5 feet by 30 feet cordoned by stanchions and ribbon, the hunting dog seemed nearly obsessed.

— kevin spear, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Orlando International Airport tops for bomb dogs," 13 Apr. 2018
Beautifully shot in an aspect ratio that makes the image square (as opposed to the usual rectangle), the film is at first discomfiting.

— cary darling, Houston Chronicle, "Review: ‘First Reformed’ a major comeback for director Paul Schrader," 7 June 2018
In a palette of chartreuse, ocher, cinnamon and gamboge, Ito overlaid uncommon shapes, such as a rectangle rounded and pinched at the top like a loaf of Wonder Bread, into compositions of preternatural calm.

— jason farago, New York Times, "10 Galleries to Visit Now Around SoHo and TriBeCa," 26 Apr. 2018
Photographer: Ryan Segedi, Prop Stylist: Chloe Daley Grab some popcorn and bid farewell to the huge black rectangle in your living room—GQ's Best Stuff has the ideal home theater solution for every budget.

— andrew goble, GQ, "The Best Projectors Make Every Netflix Session a Cinematic Experience," 12 Apr. 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

See Words from the same year

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.