pentagon
Pentagon (noun) means a five-sided, five-angled shape. Example: “The children drew a pentagon in art class using a ruler and protractor.”
How to use pentagon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA five-sided shape, or (capitalized) the US military headquarters.
Word forms
pentagons plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The children drew a _____ in art class using a ruler and protractor.
Etymology
From Greek pentágōnon, from pénte ("five") + gōnía ("angle").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for pentagon
See all rhymes for pentagon →Frequently asked questions
What does “pentagon” mean?
The word “pentagon” means a five-sided, five-angled shape. In plain terms, a five-sided shape, or (capitalized) the US military headquarters.
How do you pronounce “pentagon”?
“Pentagon” is pronounced PEHN-tuh-guhn (/ˈpɛn.təˌɡɑn/ in IPA).
How do you use “pentagon” in a sentence?
Here is “pentagon” used in a sentence: “The children drew a pentagon in art class using a ruler and protractor.”
What is another word for “pentagon”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pentagon” include 5-gon and quinquangle.
What part of speech is “pentagon”?
Depending on how it is used, “pentagon” can be a noun and a name.
Where does the word “pentagon” come from?
The word “pentagon” comes from Greek. From Greek pentágōnon, from pénte ("five") + gōnía ("angle").
Is “pentagon” a common word?
“Pentagon” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “pentagon” have?
“Pentagon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a five-sided, five-angled shape.
What is the difference between the Pentagon (building) and a pentagon (shape)?
A lowercase "pentagon" refers to any five-sided, five-angled geometric shape, while "the Pentagon," capitalized, refers specifically to the five-sided headquarters building of the U.S. Department of Defense, or the department itself. The building takes its name from its distinctive five-sided shape.
Why is the Pentagon called the Pentagon?
The Pentagon is named for the five-sided shape of its headquarters building, which houses the U.S. Department of Defense. The term is also used to refer to the department itself rather than just the physical structure.
How many sides and angles does a pentagon have?
A pentagon has five sides and five angles by definition. This geometric property is what gives the shape, and the U.S. Department of Defense building named after it, its name.