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

Traditionally, data centers are large, rectangular buildings with little architectural flair. —Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 7 Jan. 2026

The eight-piece set includes four mini cocottes, an oval casserole dish, a square baking dish, and a rectangular roasting pan with a lid. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026

Klum wore the same ensemble but swapped her aviators for rectangular brown frames. —Christina Perrier, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026

Use Rounded Furnishings So often minimalists become laser-focused on straight, clean-lined, and crisp surfaces and furniture pieces, whether rectangular dressers, hexagonal side tables, cube shelving, or square armchairs, but Gordon actually recommends choosing things with round edges. —Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 4 Jan. 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