rectangular

adjective

rect·​an·​gu·​lar rek-ˈtaŋ-gyə-lər 

1

: shaped like a rectangle

a rectangular area

2

a

: crossing, lying, or meeting at a right angle

rectangular axes

b

: having edges, surfaces, or faces that meet at right angles : having faces or surfaces shaped like rectangles

rectangular parallelepipeds

a rectangular solid

rectangularity

(ˌ)rek-ˌtaŋ-gyə-ˈler-ə-tē 

-ˈla-rə-tē

noun

rectangularly

rek-ˈtaŋ-gyə-lər-lē 

adverb

Examples of rectangular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sicilian pizza is rectangular, with a focaccia-like thick crust that is soft and airy inside. —Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 May 2026

Instead of the standard, boring rectangular fins found in the home PC, the algorithm generated complex, jagged, and pointed copper structures optimized for both heat absorption and fluid flow. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 May 2026

Baking it in a rectangular pan, rather than multiple round cake pans, makes pulling off this classic cake easier than ever—no layers to slice or delicately stack. —Martha Stewart, 8 May 2026

Caught between a vacuole and a hard place, the chloroplasts, nucleus, and other organelles are smushed against the plant cell’s rigid rectangular walls. —Quanta Magazine, 4 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rectangular

• rectangular coordinate

Rhymes for rectangular

• quadrangular
• subangular
• triangular
• angular
• subtriangular

Kids Definition

rectangular

adjective

rect·​an·​gu·​lar rek-ˈtaŋ-gyə-lər 

1

: shaped like a rectangle

a rectangular building

2

: having edges, faces, or surfaces that meet at right angles : having faces or surfaces shaped like rectangles

a rectangular solid

rectangular blocks