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

Heilmann took the supposedly impersonal unit of modern art, the rectangle, and embodied it. — Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026

Most striking is the island, whose sculptural marble departs from a simple rectangle with a dramatic, faceted cutaway. — Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2026

The rhythmic movement of my hands, the gentle scraping sounds of metal on metal, and the slow, satisfying growth of a misshapen rectangle between my fingers got me out of my head and grounded in the room around me. — Laura Bradley, HEALTH, 14 Aug. 2026

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