polygon

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablemathematics

   A flat, closed shape made of three or more straight sides.

   Grammar: Countable: use 'a polygon' or 'polygons'.

   Patterns

   • a regular polygon
   • a convex polygon
   • the sides of a polygon

   A triangle is the simplest polygon because it has only three sides.

   The students drew polygons on the board, including squares and pentagons.

   In geometry, we learned how to find the area of a regular polygon.

2. 2nouncountablecomputingtechnical

   In computing, a closed shape defined by straight lines, often used to build 3D models.

   Grammar: Countable; common in technical contexts.

   Patterns

   • render a polygon
   • a polygon mesh
   • the polygon count

   The game engine renders each polygon in the scene separately.

   Artists use polygons to create low-poly 3D characters.

   Reducing the polygon count can make the model run faster.

Word forms

Common combinations

regular polygon

A regular polygon has all sides and angles equal.

convex polygon

A convex polygon has no inward-pointing corners.

concave polygon

A concave polygon has at least one interior angle greater than 180 degrees.

polygon mesh

The 3D model is made from a polygon mesh.

Synonyms and how they differ

shape

Very general; a polygon is a specific type of shape with straight sides and no curves.

figure

Used in geometry for any drawn shape; 'polygon' is more precise.

Opposites

Word family

polygonal adjective

Having the form of a polygon; e.g., 'a polygonal pattern'.

polyhedron noun

A 3D solid with flat polygonal faces.

Commonly confused: polygon or polyhedron?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “polygon”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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