triangular

adjective

tri·​an·​gu·​lar trī-ˈaŋ-gyə-lər How to pronounce triangular (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or having the form of a triangle
a triangular plot of land
b
: having a triangular base or principal surface
a triangular table
a triangular pyramid
2
a(1)
: of, relating to, or involving three elements
a triangular agreement
(2)
of a military group : based primarily on three units
b
: of or relating to a love triangle
triangularity noun
triangularly adverb

Examples of triangular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The places with the most disproportionate arrest rates were all in the city: a jagged stretch of Brownsville, a boxy tract anchored by a major public hospital in East Flatbush and a triangular expanse of East Harlem surrounding the Robert F. Wagner Houses. Ashley Southall, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2023 Imagine buying a triangular wedge of cheddar and placing it on the table with the wide side facing down. Johanna Mayer, Scientific American, 16 Nov. 2023 Her band dresses as monks in long, brown robes and move in a triangular formation behind the singer. Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2023 The triangular end has three different sizes for gaps of varying width. Matt Jancer, WIRED, 15 Oct. 2023 The laser that proved most effective ended up having a 45 mm (about 1.8 inches) beam that could move over dust in a specific pattern that produced triangular shapes. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 27 Oct. 2023 My son, Bobby, and husband, Rob, who were in that group, were pointing at the triangular formation of rays. Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 16 Oct. 2023 The easily distracted can even stash their phone within the triangular crevice to keep it out of sight, out of mind. Deanna Pai, Glamour, 20 Oct. 2023 Keep in Mind The mop has a triangular mophead, not a traditional rectangular shape. Kelsey Mulvey, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'triangular.' 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

Middle English trianguler, from Late Latin triangularis, from Latin triangulum

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of triangular was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near triangular

Cite this Entry

“Triangular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/triangular. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

triangular

adjective
tri·​an·​gu·​lar trī-ˈaŋ-gyə-lər How to pronounce triangular (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or having the form of a triangle
2
: having a triangular base or principal surface
a triangular pyramid

Medical Definition

triangular

noun
tri·​an·​gu·​lar trī-ˈaŋ-gyə-lər How to pronounce triangular (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on triangular

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