dodecahedron: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “dodecahedron” mean?
A three-dimensional geometric solid with twelve flat polygonal faces.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A three-dimensional geometric solid with twelve flat polygonal faces.
Any polyhedron with twelve faces, most commonly referring to the regular dodecahedron, which is one of the five Platonic solids, where each face is a regular pentagon. Can also refer metaphorically to any complex, multifaceted structure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Pronunciation differences are minor and relate to stress and vowel quality.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in general usage in both UK and US English. Slightly more frequent in US English due to the prominence of Dungeons & Dragons, where a dodecahedral die (d12) is used.
Grammar
How to Use “dodecahedron” in a Sentence
the dodecahedrona dodecahedron with [property]in the shape of a dodecahedronVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dodecahedron” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form]
American English
- [No standard verb form]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form]
American English
- [No standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- The crystal had a dodecahedral habit.
- They studied the dodecahedral symmetry.
American English
- The dodecahedral dice rolled across the table.
- The model featured a dodecahedral core.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in mathematics, geometry, crystallography, and related STEM fields.
Everyday
Extremely rare. May appear in games (dice), puzzles, or decorative art descriptions.
Technical
The primary context. Precise term in geometry and materials science.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dodecahedron”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dodecahedron”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dodecahedron”
- Mispronunciation (e.g., 'dodeca-hedron' with a hard 'c' /k/).
- Misspelling (e.g., 'dodecahedran', 'dodecahedon').
- Confusing it with other Platonic solids like the icosahedron (20 faces).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The regular dodecahedron, where all faces are identical regular pentagons and all vertices are identical.
It is a three-dimensional solid shape (a polyhedron).
In board games or role-playing games as a 12-sided die (d12), in some types of lampshades, or as a decorative object.
In British English: /ˌdəʊdɛkəˈhiːdrən/ (doh-dek-uh-HEE-druhn). In American English: /ˌdoʊdɛkəˈhidrən/ (doh-dek-uh-HEE-druhn). The main difference is the first vowel.
A three-dimensional geometric solid with twelve flat polygonal faces.
Dodecahedron is usually formal/technical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'DO-decide-A-HE-dron': You DO decide to draw a HE (man) on each of the 12 faces of your strange new 'dron' (drone).
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPLEXITY IS MULTIFACETED STRUCTURE (e.g., 'The problem is a dodecahedron of interconnected issues').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key property of a regular dodecahedron?