Pronunciation: [tɹˈapɪzˌɔ͡ɪd] (IPA) 
The word trapezoid is spelled with a "z" instead of an "s" because it is derived from the Greek word "trapezoeides," which also has a "z" sound. The phonetic transcription of trapezoid is /ˈtreɪpəzɔɪd/, which represents the sounds in the word. The "t" and "r" sounds are followed by a long "a," pronounced as "ay." The "z" sound is followed by a short "o," pronounced as "uh," and the word ends with a long "i," pronounced as "oyd."
A trapezoid is a polygon with four sides, characterized by having two parallel sides. It belongs to the family of quadrilaterals and is particularly distinct due to the non-parallel sides, also called the legs or lateral sides, and the two parallel sides known as bases. The bases are typically distinguished as the longer and the shorter side, with the latter being the perpendicular distance between them. In mathematical terms, a trapezoid is defined as a quadrilateral where at least one pair of opposite sides is not parallel.
Due to its asymmetry, trapezoids do not possess any rotational or line symmetry. They can exhibit various properties depending on their side lengths and angles. For instance, an isosceles trapezoid has non-parallel sides of equal length, forming two congruent base angles. On the other hand, a right trapezoid contains one right angle.
Trapezoids play a significant role in many mathematical fields, including geometry, calculus, and trigonometry. Their properties are extensively utilized in solving various problems involving area, perimeter, and angles. Additionally, trapezoids are commonly encountered in everyday objects and structures, such as tables, buildings, and road signs.
The term "trapezoid" is primarily used in American English. In British English, a similar quadrilateral is referred to as a "trapezium," which leads to a difference in the definitions between the two regions, as British English denotes a trapezoid as a quadrilateral with no parallel sides.
1. Trapeziform, resembling a trapezium. 2. A geometrical figure resembling a trapezium except that two of its opposite sides are parallel. 3. Os multangulum minus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
In geom., a plane figure contained by four straight lines, having only two of the opposite sides parallel; in anat. one of the bones of the wrist resembling the trapezium, but smaller.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "trapezoid" originated from the Greek word "trapezion", which is a diminutive form of "trapeza" meaning "table". The term was used to describe a quadrilateral with two parallel sides, resembling a table with unequal sides. The English word "trapezium" also shares the same Greek root, but it refers to a quadrilateral with no parallel sides, known as a trapezium in British English. However, in American English, "trapezium" refers to a trapezoid with no parallel sides.
