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

Save on runners and rectangular options starting at $33. —Ali Faccenda, People.com, 12 July 2025

For example, a set of blue chairs at the far end of a rectangular garden will make the space feel larger than a set of red chairs in the same place. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2025

Retro oval and rectangular silhouettes are particularly trendy this summer—and Dakota Johnson’s favorite pair is under $45 on sale. —Malia Griggs, Glamour, 11 July 2025

The team carefully removed the slab, lowering it to the ground to reveal a rectangular opening. —Aspen Pflughoeft july 10, Miami Herald, 10 July 2025

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