tessellation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Academic / Artistic
Quick answer
What does “tessellation” mean?
The process or art of covering a surface with repeated geometric shapes, without gaps or overlaps.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The process or art of covering a surface with repeated geometric shapes, without gaps or overlaps.
In mathematics, a tiling of a plane using one or more geometric shapes, called tiles, with no overlaps and no gaps. In art and design, a pattern created by such an arrangement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Neutral in both; implies precision, pattern, and often beauty in repetition.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, confined to specific fields.
Grammar
How to Use “tessellation” in a Sentence
The surface was covered with a tessellation of [geometric shape]A tessellation formed by [shapes]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tessellation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The hexagons will tessellate perfectly across the plane.
- Can these irregular shapes tessellate?
American English
- The squares tessellate to form a checkerboard.
- The software is designed to tessellate any polygon.
adverb
British English
- [Rarely used]
American English
- [Rarely used]
adjective
British English
- The tessellated floor of the cathedral was stunning.
- He studied tessellated patterns.
American English
- The artist is known for her tessellated designs.
- A tessellated pavement is a type of Roman mosaic.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used, except perhaps in design or architecture-related businesses.
Academic
Common in mathematics (geometry), computer science (graphics, algorithms), and art history.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used when discussing art, floor tiles, or quilting patterns.
Technical
Core term in geometry, computer graphics, and architectural design.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tessellation”
- Misspelling as 'tesselation' (one 's')
- Using it as a general synonym for 'pattern' (it requires no gaps/overlaps).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, tessellations can use many shapes, including irregular ones, as long as they fit together without gaps or overlaps.
All tessellations are patterns, but not all patterns are tessellations. A tessellation specifically requires a complete cover of the plane with no gaps.
In a strict mathematical sense, the shapes must fit geometrically. Stylized or geometric representations of animals (like in M.C. Escher's art) can tessellate, but natural, irregular organic forms typically cannot.
It's a mid-to-low frequency word, common in specific fields like math, computer graphics, and art, but not in everyday conversation.
The process or art of covering a surface with repeated geometric shapes, without gaps or overlaps.
Tessellation is usually technical / academic / artistic in register.
Tessellation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtɛs.əˈleɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtes.əˈleɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of TESSELLATION as 'TILES in a special formation'.
Conceptual Metaphor
COVERING A SURFACE IS WEAVING A NET (of shapes)
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is a classic example of a tessellation?