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

From the rectangular steering wheel, the pilot can activate any of the five drive modes. —Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2025

But those hulking rectangular boxes, the massive data centers sprouting up across the country, are emerging as a giant magnet for dollars in a way that rivals consumer spending itself. —Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025

The Bonaire cabin kit caught our eye for its modern, rectangular shape that takes inspiration from vacation resort cabins. —Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2025

The 33-mm case is rectangular and, as the name indicates, has both an analog dial and a digital readout, which gives it features including world time, an alarm, a chronograph, and the day and date. —Andy Boxall, Wired News, 29 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