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

Those black rectangles in Study for a Black Drawing are absurd attempts at the ideal void. — Aaron Fagan, Artforum, 11 Aug. 2026

The setting sun streamed into the room, and a narrow rectangle of light blazed beneath the window. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Attached to those red rectangles in the white bubble is the spread between the 2 year and Fed funds. — Todd Gordon, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026

Two opposite sides of this rectangle were situated on two parallel streets, Avenida Londres and Avenida Berlin. — Literary Hub, 28 July 2026

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"