rectangular

1 of 2

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

rectangularity

2 of 2

noun

rect·​an·​gu·​lar·​i·​ty (ˌ)rek-ˌtaŋ-gyə-ˈla-rə-tē 

-ˈler-ə-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being rectangular : rigidity of form

Examples of rectangular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Gauff knocked the ball into a rectangular expanse of blue, as Jović stood in the doubles alley and doubled over to her knees, trying to catch her breath. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

The Euphoria alum completed her look with open-toe heels and a pair of rectangular sunglasses, wearing her long blonde tresses straightened. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 4 Sep. 2026

Leading the prosecution were Jennifer Sprague and Shanan Buckingham, a pair of stolid assistant district attorneys in structured suits and dark rectangular glasses. — Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

Scrape the mixture into an oval, square, or rectangular 2-quart baking dish, 2 to 3 inches deep, and place on the prepared baking sheet. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

rectangular + -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

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