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

Working from center to edges, roll out dough to a rectangle (10x6 inches); cut rectangle into sixty 1-inch pieces. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2025

At the center of the parlor is a large rectangle table with several stools for large groups to sit, talk and take a break. —Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2025

While the strike zone actually called by big league umpires tends to be oval in shape, the ABS strike zone is a rectangle, as in the rule book. —Ronald Blum, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025

An English teacher took me aside and drew a rectangle on a piece of paper, placed a shooting arrow on each corner of the rectangle, plus one halfway along the horizontal top line, and a final arrow, in the same position, down below. —Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 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"