two-dimensional

adjective

two-di·​men·​sion·​al ˈtü-də-ˈmen(t)-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce two-dimensional (audio)
 also  -dī-
1
: of, relating to, or having two dimensions
The most symmetric of the two-dimensional objects is the circle, because you can rotate it any amount and reflect it over any axis through its center, and it remains exactly the same …Tamara M. Davis
… consider a piece of paper, a two-dimensional object. Crumple the paper up. The more tightly it's compressed, the more chaotic are its folds, and the closer the two-dimensional surface moves to becoming a three-dimensional solid.John Briggs and F. David Peat
2
: lacking the illusion of depth : not three-dimensional
His violent, nakedly two-dimensional art can be difficult to capture in photographs, depending as it does in great measure on knotty textures and eccentric color schemes for effect.Publishers Weekly
3
: lacking depth of characterization
two-dimensional characters
two-dimensionality noun
plural two-dimensionalities
two-dimensionally adverb
This guide … covers thoroughly and in-depth the process of representing the human form two-dimensionally on paper. Heather Halliday

Examples of two-dimensional in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Leaning into its own evolution over retro homage or elegant pastiche, Art of Vengeance shows the value that a two-dimensional platformer can have at a time when exorbitant AAA games all suffer from overly ambitious bloat. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025 Any attempt to create generic, static, two-dimensional segments or personas is a recipe for cultural irrelevance. Kian Bakhtiari, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025 Graves points out that while foot measurements are two-dimensional, feet are actually three-dimensional. Korin Miller, Outside, 24 Aug. 2025 The two-dimensional and hand-drawn They, conceived by Zellweger and her production company Big Picture Co., depicts a town overrun by toxic clouds of complaints. Jack Smart, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for two-dimensional

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of two-dimensional was in 1863

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Two-dimensional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/two-dimensional. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

two-dimensional

adjective
: of, relating to, or having two dimensions (as length and width)

More from Merriam-Webster on two-dimensional

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!