square pyramid
- noun
- /skwɛr ˈpɪrəmɪd/
- Specialized
- A square pyramid has a square base and four triangular faces that converge at the apex.
Examples
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The architect designed a stunning building shaped like a square pyramid, featuring a square foundation and triangular peaks.
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In geometry class, we learned that a square pyramid consists of a square base and four triangular sides.
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Pass, a square pyramid has how many triangular faces?
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a pyramid with a square base' is directly derivable from combining 'square' (four equal sides/right angles) with 'pyramid' (a solid with a polygonal base and triangular faces). This adjective+noun composition is literal and follows common cross‑linguistic patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Square pyramid comes from the shape's look: a flat square at the bottom and four triangle sides that go up to meet at one top point. So the name tells you it is a pyramid with a square 'base'.