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

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

The bigger Nazca symbols were near networks of straight lines, squares and trapezoids etched into the earth. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 27 Sep. 2024

Make three trapezoids from cardstock, in the following dimensions: 3 inches (base) x 1 inch (height) x 3/4 inches (top). —Rachelle Doorley, Parents, 16 Aug. 2023

The feature explicitly identifies in-car symbols, offering a way to know what those squiggly lines and trapezoids mean. —Sebastian Blanco, Car and Driver, 24 July 2023

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

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