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Cube Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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cube

[kjuːb ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

geometry

A three-dimensional shape with six square or rectangular sides of equal size.

Synonyms

block, hexahedron.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
cube

Used in mathematics, geometry, and everyday situations to describe a three-dimensional shape with equal sides.

  • The box is shaped like a cube.
  • In math class, we learned how to calculate the volume of a cube.
block

Commonly used to describe a solid piece of material with a specific shape, often used in construction or as a toy. It can also mean a segment of a street or a section of content.

  • The children played with wooden blocks.
  • She walked three blocks to get to the store.
hexahedron

Primarily used in a scientific or mathematical context to denote any polyhedron with six faces. Typically, it is a more formal and technical term.

  • A cube is a special type of hexahedron where all faces are squares.
  • We studied various hexahedrons in our geometry class.

Examples of usage

  • The dice is a cube with each side showing a different number of dots.
  • The sugar cubes are perfect for coffee.
  • The Rubik's Cube is a popular puzzle toy.
Context #2 | Noun

mathematics

The third power of a number, or the result of multiplying a number by itself twice.

Synonyms

cubed, third power.

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Word Description / Examples
cube

Often used in cooking to describe cutting ingredients into small, uniform square pieces.

  • Please cube the potatoes before adding them to the stew
  • I cubed the cheese for the salad
third power

Used in more formal or scientific contexts to refer to raising a number to the power of three.

  • In mathematical terms, two to the third power equals eight
  • The volume of a cube is calculated by taking the side length to the third power
cubed

Used mostly in mathematics to indicate raising a number to the third power.

  • Two cubed equals eight
  • When you cube three, you get twenty-seven

Examples of usage

  • The cube of 3 is 27.
  • To find the volume of a cube, you cube the length of one side.
  • The cube root of 64 is 4.
Context #3 | Verb

informal

To shape something into the form of a cube.

Synonyms

cut into cubes, dice.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
cube

This can also refer to a mathematical operation where a number is multiplied by itself twice.

  • The cube of 3 is 27.
dice

This term is also used in cooking, typically when precise, uniformly small cubes are required. It can also refer to small cubes used in games.

  • Dice the onions finely before adding them to the soup.
  • He rolled the dice and landed on a six.
cut into cubes

This phrase is used in cooking instructions or when you need to describe the action of cutting something into cube-shaped pieces.

  • First, cut the potatoes into cubes for the stew.
  • He cut the watermelon into cubes so it would be easy to eat.

Examples of usage

  • He cubes the cheese before adding it to the salad.
  • The carpenter is cubing the wood for the project.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Mathematics

  • A cube has 12 edges, 8 corners (vertices), and 6 faces.
  • In geometry, the volume of a cube is calculated by multiplying the length of one edge by itself three times.
  • Cubes are special cases of rectangular prisms, where all sides are equal.

Art

  • Traditionally, the cube has been used in art to symbolize stability and solidity.
  • Cubism, an early 20th-century art movement, uses cubes and shapes to represent subjects from multiple viewpoints.
  • Sculptors and architects often use cubes to create both abstract and functional designs.

Science

  • In chemistry, many crystals (like salt) form cubic shapes due to the arrangement of their molecules.
  • Cubes simplify complex structures in physics and engineering, allowing for easier modeling.
  • In computer graphics, cubes are used as one of the basic building blocks for 3D modeling and simulations.

Culture

  • The Rubik's Cube, created in 1974, became a global phenomenon and is a symbol of problem-solving.
  • In some cultures, cubes are seen in architecture, such as in the design of buildings to create a sense of balance.
  • Cubes are popular in gaming, often representing various elements and serving as a fundamental game mechanic.

History

  • Early forms of the cube were found in ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia, used for storage and trade.
  • The die, a cube with numbers, dates back thousands of years and is one of the oldest gaming tools known.
  • The concept of the cube influenced philosophers and mathematicians, such as Plato, who saw shapes as elements of the universe.

Origin of 'cube'

The word 'cube' originated from the Latin word 'cubus', which in turn came from the Greek word 'kubos', meaning a six-sided solid figure. The concept of a cube has been known since ancient times, with the Egyptians and Greeks exploring its properties. In modern mathematics, the term 'cube' refers to both a geometric shape and a mathematical operation.

See also: cub, cubed, cubic, cubical, cubicle, cuboid.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,351, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.