Hexagonal

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Hexagonal

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

adjective

Pronunciation

hek-SAG-uh-nul  /hɛkˈsaɡ(ə)n(ə)l/

Definition

Having the shape of or relating to a hexagon; characterised by a six-sided structure or arrangement; (in crystallography) belonging to the crystal system in which the lattice is based on a hexagonal unit cell.

Plain meaning

Hexagonal means six-sided, or shaped like a hexagon. A hexagonal arrangement, a hexagonal cell, a hexagonal column: each describes something with six sides or six-fold symmetry. Hexagonal is also a specific term in crystallography for one of the seven crystal systems.

Register

Neutral and technical. Hexagonal is used in mathematics, science, design, and everyday description. It is slightly more technical than saying six-sided, and specifically implies the regular hexagon rather than any six-sided shape.