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

The little round hat bag is stacked on top, where her head would be, two sizable rectangular suitcases are positioned in front of her torso and legs, while a slender fourth container juts out from her hip. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 Nov. 2025

Across the vamp, a rectangular buckle sat almost flush, blending into the smooth black leather of the kitten heel shoe. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025

The most popular humidor is the classic rectangular wooden box that doubles as a desk ornament. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025

Ancient calendar The center of the site is a large, raised rectangular platform or plaza with room for more than 1,000 people to gather. —Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 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