three-dimensional

adjective

three-di·​men·​sion·​al ˈthrē-də-ˈmench-nəl 

-ˈmen(t)-shə-nᵊl,

 also  -dī-

1

: of, relating to, or having three dimensions

2

: giving the illusion of depth or varying distances

—used especially of an image or a pictorial representation on a two-dimensional medium when this illusion is enhanced by stereoscopic means

3

: describing or being described in well-rounded completeness

a three-dimensional analysis of multiple historical processes

—L. L. Snyder

4

: true to life : lifelike

three-dimensionality

ˈthrē-də-ˌmen(t)-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

noun

Synonyms

• lifelike
• living
• natural
• naturalistic
• naturalist
• near
• photo-realistic
• realistic

Examples of three-dimensional in a Sentence

an actress who has been acclaimed for her three-dimensional portrayal of the celebrated monarch

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead of representing three-dimensional worlds through the canvas, some of Stella's early artworks reflected his desire to have an immediate visual impact upon viewers. —Chloe Veltman, NPR, 4 May 2024

By Will Henshall May 2, 2024 8:17 AM EDT Proteins, each with their own unique three-dimensional architecture, are the body’s molecular tools, adapted to perform the specific tasks necessary for maintaining life. —Will Henshall, TIME, 2 May 2024

This four-dimensional blob had a three-dimensional boundary, just as a three-dimensional object like a ball has a two-dimensional boundary. —Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 22 Apr. 2024

Each episode unfolds like a detective show, with the host Nev Schulman summoned to untangle truth from lies, to take relationships that exist only on computers and phones and drag them into our three-dimensional reality. —Maya Salam Maya Salam, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024

Tom is a nuanced, three-dimensional character, Torjussen says. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024

Some crucial dresses will be brought to life again as Pepper’s ghosts—a holographic illusion by which a flat-image projection appears as an object in three-dimensional space. —Nathan Heller, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024

To assess the situation—and the bird’s survival prospects—specialists placed the California condor egg in a computed tomography (CT) machine, revealing a detailed, three-dimensional view of what was happening inside. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024

The radar image below, created with computer software that depicts the three-dimensional structure of the storm, shows intense precipitation lofted into freezing air above as the hail-generating supercell moved across Arlington. —Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

three-dimensional

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or having three dimensions (as length, width, and height)

2

: giving the appearance of depth or varying distances