triangular prism

5.2

A solid shape that has two equal triangle ends and three rectangular sides joining them

noun
/traɪˈæŋɡjələr ˈprɪzəm/

Specialized

: prisma triangular

The triangular prism has three rectangular faces.

Examples

The mathematics teacher used a triangular prism to illustrate how to calculate surface area and volume.
The artist built a sculpture based on the shape of a triangular prism.
Light passing through a triangular prism can form a spectrum of colors.
Look at that triangular prism!
The mathematics teacher used a triangular prism to illustrate how to calculate surface area and volume.
The artist built a sculpture based on the shape of a triangular prism.
Light passing through a triangular prism can form a spectrum of colors.

Surface Forms

triangular prism singular

triangular prisms plural

Morphology

triangular + prism

The compound's meaning follows directly from combining 'triangular' (having three sides/angles) with 'prism' (a solid with two congruent parallel bases): a prism whose bases are triangles. This compositional structure is regular and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the intended geometric shape.

Etymology

The noun triangular prism is a literal name: triangular shows the ends are triangles and prism means a solid with the same shape at both ends, so imagine a long box with two triangle ends and three rectangular sides. That's why it means 'a solid with two triangle bases and three rectangular faces'.