rectangle

noun

rect·​an·​gle ˈrek-ˌtaŋ-gəl 

: a parallelogram all of whose angles are right angles

especially : one with adjacent sides of unequal length

Examples of rectangle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Colorado, a state whose shape is a simple rectangle, flipped from George W. Bush in 2004, while the secondary color of Davis’ choice of purple paint was created by combining two primary pigments — red and blue. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025

When one side of the grave collapsed slightly, the scoop evened out the rectangle. —Paige Williams, New Yorker, 2 June 2025

This newer technology stores information in the form of two-dimensional shapes like dots, squares and even rectangles, which store even more data than their one-dimensional counterparts. —Benjamin Claeys, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025

These mats of synthetic fibers are pressed and cut by machines into easy-to-hold shapes, like rectangles. —Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

rectangle

noun

rect·​an·​gle ˈrek-ˌtaŋ-gəl 

: a four-sided polygon that has four right angles and each pair of opposite sides parallel and of the same length

Etymology

from Latin rectangulus "having a right angle," from earlier Latin rectus "right" and angulus "angle"