trapezium

noun

tra·​pe·​zi·​um trə-ˈpē-zē-əm How to pronounce trapezium (audio)
tra-
plural trapeziums or trapezia trə-ˈpē-zē-ə How to pronounce trapezium (audio)
tra-
1
a
: a quadrilateral with no parallel sides
b
British : trapezoid sense 1a
2
: a bone in the wrist at the base of the metacarpal of the thumb

Examples of trapezium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The 18-karat yellow gold brooch actually draws inspiration from Oppenheimer, and features eight concentric trapeziums—the shape found within the interior components of an atomic bomb. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024 Also clearly visible at the heart of the Orion Nebula is the trapezium cluster of young massive stars that shape the cloud of dust and gas with their intense ultraviolet radiation, according to the news release. Katie Hunt, CNN, 12 Sep. 2022 Every Friday night in towns and cities across Britain, neon trapeziums lure drunken men to gorge on greasy meat shaved from an elephant’s leg. 1843, 10 July 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trapezium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek trapezion, literally, small table, diminutive of trapeza table, from tra- four (akin to tettares four) + peza foot; akin to Greek pod-, pous foot — more at four, foot

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of trapezium was in 1570

Dictionary Entries Near trapezium

Cite this Entry

“Trapezium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trapezium. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

trapezium

noun
tra·​pe·​zi·​um trə-ˈpē-zē-əm, tra- How to pronounce trapezium (audio)
plural trapeziums or trapezia -zē-ə How to pronounce trapezium (audio)
: a bone in the distal row of the carpus at the base of the thumb

called also greater multangular

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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