rectangular

adjective

rect·​an·​gu·​lar rek-ˈtaŋ-gyə-lər How to pronounce rectangular (audio)
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 noun
rectangularly adverb

Examples of rectangular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for rectangular

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rectangular was circa 1560

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rectangular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rectangular. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

rectangular

adjective
rect·​an·​gu·​lar rek-ˈtaŋ-gyə-lər How to pronounce rectangular (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on rectangular

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!