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 But this time around, the triangular plate is not intended for extraterrestrial communication. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024 The big triangular grille at the front is unmistakably Alfa, and the 3×3 headlights remind me of the Alfa Romeo SZ supercar from the 1990s. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 27 Nov. 2023 The architect was able to add square footage, storage and natural light to a home on a tight triangular lot — while preserving an enormous olive tree that shades the home. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2024 This multi-purpose charging hub can be folded 180° for a triangular phone stand. Stackcommerce Team, PCMAG, 5 Feb. 2024 Taking a page from history, Washington should recognize that China, North Korea, and Russia will sabotage their triangular alignment all on their own. Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 19 Feb. 2024 Cuneiform, in which characters are pressed into tablets using cut triangular reeds, was invented around 3200 BC. Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 13 Feb. 2024 The pyramid face is triangular, a Dorito chip is triangular. Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 9 Feb. 2024 The triangular platform — a nod to Jackson assistant Tex Winter's famed triangle offense, the bedrock of the Lakers' success in the 2000s — is surrounded by five replicas of the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Greg Beacham, USA TODAY, 9 Feb. 2024

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 29 Mar. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!