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

Recent Examples on the Web

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

The discovery came as scientists were analyzing data as part of the the agency's Gaia mission, an astronomical observatory mission with the purpose of creating the largest, most precise three-dimensional map of the Milky Way. —USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024

The twin can be displayed on a screen or in virtual reality as a three-dimensional model that can be enlarged, rotated, and examined by a team of experts. —Steve Levine, Fortune, 11 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