quadrilateral

1 of 2

noun

quad·​ri·​lat·​er·​al ˌkwä-drə-ˈla-t(ə-)rəl 

: a polygon of four sides

quadrilateral

2 of 2

adjective

: having four sides

Examples of quadrilateral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Penrose tiles are a pair of simple quadrilaterals that, with a careful set of rules, tile the plane without allowing translational symmetry. — Quanta Magazine, 23 May 2023

There are yet more triangles and quadrilaterals of affection, not always clearly mapped in Bradshaw’s vigorous trimming of the text. — Jesse Green, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2023

Adjective

There’s a lot of comedy in the unwieldy quadrilateral chest panel of Alex’s dress. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 6 May 2025

Its four brightest stars form a compact quadrilateral shape that stands out against the otherwise sparse background of Virgo. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 11 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin quadrilaterus four-sided, from quadri- + later-, latus side

First Known Use

Noun

1650, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1656, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for quadrilateral

• basolateral
• contralateral
• dorsolateral
• equilateral
• ipsilateral
• multilateral
• unilateral
• ventrolateral
• anterolateral
• posterolateral
• bilateral
• collateral

Kids Definition

quadrilateral

1 of 2 adjective

quad·​ri·​lat·​er·​al ˌkwäd-rə-ˈlat-ə-rəl 

-ˈla-trəl

: having four sides

quadrilateral

2 of 2 noun

: a polygon with four sides and four angles

Medical Definition

quadrilateral

adjective

quad·​ri·​lat·​er·​al ˌkwäd-rə-ˈlat-ə-rəl, -ˈla-trəl 

: having four sides

a quadrilateral muscle