Illustration of trapezoid
- trapezoid 1a
trapezoid
noun
trap·e·zoid ˈtra-pə-ˌzȯid 
1
a
: a quadrilateral having only two sides parallel
b
British : trapezium sense 1a
2
: a bone in the wrist at the base of the metacarpal of the index finger
trapezoidal
ˌtra-pə-ˈzȯi-dᵊl
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web At the top corners of the trapezoid, sew ribbons for ties. 
Terri Robertson, Country Living, 22 Aug. 2022 At the top corner of the trapezoid, sew a corresponding color ribbon for ties. Terri Robertson, Country Living, 18 Aug. 2022 There is a craze for the long-but-short denim piece that covers the leg like a trapezoid! Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 22 July 2022 The shape of the State House-- not a rectangle but a trapezoid -- was one of the findings Derry explained during her presentation. Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, 18 Dec. 2021 The village at the Ocmulgee Mounds site once held a grand plaza that stood in the shadow of the Great Temple Mound, a massive nine-story earthen trapezoid built of countless baskets of soil carried uphill by thousands of laborers. Washington Post, 12 Feb. 2022 On a map of Los Angeles County, census tract 124300 is shaped like a trapezoid. Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2022 The collection will include seven styles that are all made of leather and include a clutch with an angular trapezoid flap inspired by the futuristic style of the ’80s and ’90s and a roomy everyday tote bag. New York Times, 3 Feb. 2022 Why a trapezoid, which is a four-sided figure with one pair of parallel sides? Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, 18 Dec. 2021 See More
Terri Robertson, Country Living, 22 Aug. 2022 At the top corner of the trapezoid, sew a corresponding color ribbon for ties. Terri Robertson, Country Living, 18 Aug. 2022 There is a craze for the long-but-short denim piece that covers the leg like a trapezoid! Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 22 July 2022 The shape of the State House-- not a rectangle but a trapezoid -- was one of the findings Derry explained during her presentation. Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, 18 Dec. 2021 The village at the Ocmulgee Mounds site once held a grand plaza that stood in the shadow of the Great Temple Mound, a massive nine-story earthen trapezoid built of countless baskets of soil carried uphill by thousands of laborers. Washington Post, 12 Feb. 2022 On a map of Los Angeles County, census tract 124300 is shaped like a trapezoid. Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2022 The collection will include seven styles that are all made of leather and include a clutch with an angular trapezoid flap inspired by the futuristic style of the ’80s and ’90s and a roomy everyday tote bag. New York Times, 3 Feb. 2022 Why a trapezoid, which is a four-sided figure with one pair of parallel sides? Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, 18 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin trapezoïdes, from Greek trapezoeidēs trapezium-shaped, from trapeza table
First Known Use
circa 1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1b
Kids Definition
trapezoid
noun
trap·e·zoid ˈtra-pə-ˌzȯid
: a flat geometric figure with four sides but with only two sides parallel
Medical Definition
trapezoid
noun
trap·e·zoid ˈtrap-ə-ˌzȯid
: a bone in the distal row of the carpus at the base of the index finger
called also lesser multangular, trapezoid bone, trapezoideum