quadrangle

UK: /ˈkwɒdræŋg^əl/ US: /ˈkwɑdˌræŋgəl/ ,(kwod′rang′gəl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

quad•ran•gle /ˈkwɑdˌræŋgəl/   n. [countable]

1. Mathematics a flat figure having four angles and four sides, such as a square.
2. Architecture a four-sided space or court surrounded by a building or buildings, as on a college campus:
   In the main quadrangle students were playing frisbee.

quad•ran•gu•lar /kwɑˈdræŋgyəlɚ/  adj. See -quad-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

quad•ran•gle  (kwod′rang′gəl), n. 

1. Mathematics a plane figure having four angles and four sides, as a square.
2. Architecture a square or quadrangular space or court that is surrounded by a building or buildings, as on a college campus.
3. Architecture the building or buildings around such a space or court.
4. Geography, Surveying, Surveying, Place Names the area shown on one of the standard topographic map sheets published by the U.S. Geological Survey: approximately 17 mi. (27 km) north to south and from 11 to 15 mi. (17 to 24 km) east to west.

• Late Latin quadrangulum, noun, nominal use of neuter of Latin quadrangulus, quadriangulus four-cornered. See quadr-, angle
• late Middle English 1400–50

quad′ran′gled, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

quadrangle / ˈkwɒdˌræŋɡ^əl/ noun

1. a plane figure consisting of four points connected by four lines. In a complete quadrangle, six lines connect all pairs of points
2. a rectangular courtyard, esp one having buildings on all four sides
3. the building surrounding such a courtyard

Etymology: 15th Century: from Late Latin quadrangulum figure having four corners

quadrangular / kwɒˈdræŋɡjʊlə/ adjective