trapezoid

noun

trap·​e·​zoid ˈtra-pə-ˌzȯid 

1

a

: a quadrilateral having only two sides parallel

b

British : trapezium sense 1a

2

: a bone in the wrist at the base of the metacarpal of the index finger

trapezoidal

ˌtra-pə-ˈzȯi-dᵊl 

adjective

Illustration of trapezoid

• trapezoid 1a

Examples of trapezoid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Between the savory courses and dessert, a cook might come by to present a palate-cleansing bite of fruit, such as whole sweet tamarinds in their pods, or sticky white trapezoids of soursop. —Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 4 May 2025

The sculpture based on a zither—an instrument with strings stretched across a flat box—is a slanted trapezoid with strings running down its back. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 May 2025

The arms, made of fibreglass and light inelastic polyester, fold up into the shape of a trapezoid. —IEEE Spectrum, 22 May 2015

Geometric polygons are another group of glyphs that include trapezoids and other shapes. —Carly Miller, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin trapezoïdes, from Greek trapezoeidēs trapezium-shaped, from trapeza table

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for trapezoid

• adenoid
• alkaloid
• amoeboid
• amyloid
• aneroid
• anthropoid
• arachnoid
• asteroid
• benzenoid
• carcinoid
• celluloid
• coronoid

Kids Definition

trapezoid

noun

trap·​e·​zoid ˈtrap-ə-ˌzȯid 

: a polygon that has four sides and exactly two that are parallel

trapezoidal

ˌtrap-ə-ˈzȯid-ᵊl 

adjective

Medical Definition

trapezoid

noun

trap·​e·​zoid ˈtrap-ə-ˌzȯid 

: a bone in the distal row of the carpus at the base of the index finger

called also lesser multangular, trapezoid bone, trapezoideum