two-dimensional
adjective
two-di·men·sion·al
ˈtü-də-ˈmen(t)-sh(ə-)nəl 
also -dī-
1
: of, relating to, or having two dimensions
The most symmetric of the two-dimensional objects is the circle, because you can rotate it any amount and reflect it over any axis through its center, and it remains exactly the same …—
Tamara M. Davis
Tamara M. Davis… consider a piece of paper, a two-dimensional object. Crumple the paper up. The more tightly it's compressed, the more chaotic are its folds, and the closer the two-dimensional surface moves to becoming a three-dimensional solid.—John Briggs and F. David Peat
John Briggs and F. David Peat2
: lacking the illusion of depth : not three-dimensional
His violent, nakedly two-dimensional art can be difficult to capture in photographs, depending as it does in great measure on knotty textures and eccentric color schemes for effect.—Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly3
: lacking depth of characterization
two-dimensional characters
two-dimensionally
adverb
This guide … covers thoroughly and in-depth the process of representing the human form two-dimensionally on paper.
—Heather Halliday
Heather Halliday
Examples of two-dimensional in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These boneless organisms fossilized as biofilm — they were rapidly buried and compressed between layers of rock, leaving behind two-dimensional impressions of their organic tissues.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
The islands are grown on a gallium arsenide/aluminum gallium arsenide (GaAs/AlGaAs) heterostructure that hosts a two-dimensional electron gas, enabling precise control of electrons.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
The cameras measure balls and strikes from a two-dimensional plane set in the middle of home plate.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Advancements in understanding black holes build on holography, the idea that the two-dimensional surface of the black hole somehow captures everything about the three-dimensional space inside it.
—Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for two-dimensional
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
The islands are grown on a gallium arsenide/aluminum gallium arsenide (GaAs/AlGaAs) heterostructure that hosts a two-dimensional electron gas, enabling precise control of electrons.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
The cameras measure balls and strikes from a two-dimensional plane set in the middle of home plate.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Advancements in understanding black holes build on holography, the idea that the two-dimensional surface of the black hole somehow captures everything about the three-dimensional space inside it.
—Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for two-dimensional
Cite this Entry
“Two-dimensional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/two-dimensional. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
