hexagon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-frequency in everyday conversation; medium-frequency in academic/technical contextsFormal to neutral; primarily academic, mathematical, technical, and design contexts
Quick answer
What does “hexagon” mean?
a plane figure with six straight sides and six angles.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a plane figure with six straight sides and six angles
any object or arrangement shaped like a six-sided polygon, often used in mathematics, engineering, and design
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Neutral geometric term in both variants.
Frequency
Equally low in general conversation; equally common in technical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “hexagon” in a Sentence
[The shape] is a hexagon.A hexagon has six sides.They arranged the tiles in a hexagon.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hexagon” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The hexagonal tiles were laid in a repeating pattern.
- They studied the hexagonal structure of the crystal.
American English
- The soccer ball has a hexagonal pattern.
- They designed a hexagonal storage unit.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific industries like flooring, tile manufacturing, or UX design referring to interface elements.
Academic
Common in geometry, mathematics, engineering, chemistry (molecular structures), and geography (basalt columns).
Everyday
Low frequency; used when discussing shapes, quilting, board games, or tiling.
Technical
Frequent in mathematics, CAD design, crystallography, and materials science.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hexagon”
- Misspelling as 'hexagone' (influenced by French).
- Confusing with 'octagon' (eight sides) or 'pentagon' (five sides).
- Using 'hexagon' as an adjective instead of 'hexagonal'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, a hexagon is any six-sided polygon. A 'regular hexagon' has equal sides and angles.
The adjective is 'hexagonal'.
In honeycomb structures made by bees, basalt columns (like the Giant's Causeway), and some crystal formations.
720 degrees.
a plane figure with six straight sides and six angles.
Hexagon is usually formal to neutral; primarily academic, mathematical, technical, and design contexts in register.
Hexagon: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɛksəɡ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɛksəˌɡɑn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'hex' as in six (like hexadecimal) + 'agon' as in polygon. A hexagon has six angles.
Conceptual Metaphor
Structure, efficiency, balance (as in honeycomb cells); sometimes used to represent interconnected systems or networks.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a defining property of a hexagon?