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

Amazon has a tasty discount right now on the Asus ExpertCenter PN54, a compact little rectangle that's designed for both everyday productivity and creative work. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026

All had at least one straight side, and several were essentially rectangles. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Heavy curtain up; the moaning of sentimental strings; lights rising on some wedges and rectangles of scenery, guys and girls, the guys practically naked save for bits and pieces of neo-Greek get-up. — Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll out the dough to a roughly 9 × 12-inch rectangle, 1/4 inch thick. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 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"