polygon

noun

poly·​gon ˈpä-lē-ˌgän 

1

: a closed plane figure bounded by straight lines

2

: a closed figure on a sphere bounded by arcs of great circles

polygonal

pə-ˈli-gə-nᵊl 

adjective

polygonally

pə-ˈli-gə-nᵊl-ē 

adverb

Examples of polygon in a Sentence

Pentagons, hexagons, and octagons are all kinds of polygons.

Recent Examples on the Web

In recent years, modern games have started evoking the blocky polygons and smeary textures of early 3D games to appeal to nostalgic 20- and 30-somethings. —Ars Technica, 22 Dec. 2024

Under the Hood Nvidia Edify uses something called ‘quad mesh’ models where 3D objects are made up of quadrilateral or four-sided polygons. —John Werner, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024

Each of these polygons measures at least 3.7 miles across and consists of roiling ice. —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024

Today’s blockbuster titles rely on robust engines like Unity and Unreal to push pretty polygons, engines made for companies and people already seriously dedicated to game development as a career. —PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin polygōnum, borrowed from Greek polýgōnon, from poly- poly- + -gōnon -gon

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing polygon

• spherical polygon

Kids Definition

polygon

noun

poly·​gon ˈpäl-i-ˌgän 

: a geometric figure that is closed, that lies in a plane, and whose edges are all straight lines

triangles, squares, and pentagons are all polygons

polygonal

pə-ˈlig-ən-ᵊl 

adjective