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
This emerging two-dimensional material helps to orient the 'lock', i.e., the capture molecule on the surface of these sensors so that the 'key', i.e., the target protein (HMGB1) for endo can bind tightly.
—Health Reporter, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Italy’s chemistry is more two-dimensional than three.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 22 July 2025
Whereas sectional curvature tells you precisely how two-dimensional slices of a space bend in different directions, Ricci curvature gives a more average sense of that bending.
—Quanta Magazine, 16 July 2025
That’s what makes the surface two-dimensional – length and width.
—Rob Coyne, Space.com, 13 July 2025
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.
Health Reporter, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Italy’s chemistry is more two-dimensional than three.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 22 July 2025
Whereas sectional curvature tells you precisely how two-dimensional slices of a space bend in different directions, Ricci curvature gives a more average sense of that bending.
—Quanta Magazine, 16 July 2025
That’s what makes the surface two-dimensional – length and width.
—Rob Coyne, Space.com, 13 July 2025
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 2 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share