16 Shapes That Start With The Letter P

Are you searching for some shapes that start with the letter P? Don’t worry, you have come to the right place.

In this article, I will delve into the fascinating world of shapes and comprise a list of some common and popular shapes starting with the letter P for you.

So, without further ado, let’s discover the shapes beginning with the letter P, which will grow your geometric vocabulary skills.


Shapes That Start With Letter P

Below are the shapes that begin with the letter P (In alphabetical order):

1. Parabola (N-Shaped Curve)

The parabola is a U-shaped curve that is symmetric and boundless. It is formed by plotting points equidistant from both a fixed point (the focus) and a fixed straight line (the directrix). Parabolas can be found in various natural and man-made phenomena, from the trajectory of projectiles to the shape of satellite dishes.

2. Paraboloid (Curved Surface)

The paraboloid is a three-dimensional shape formed by revolving a parabola around its axis. It resembles a shallow, curved dish and is commonly used in architecture and engineering to create reflective surfaces and optimize lighting and sound distribution.

3. Parallelepiped (Box-Like Shape)

The parallelepiped is a three-dimensional figure with six faces, each being a parallelogram. It includes familiar shapes like cubes and rectangular prisms. Parallelepiped structures are commonly used in construction and engineering for their stability and efficient use of space.

4. Parallelogram (Opposite Sides Are Parallel)

A parallelogram is a four-sided polygon with opposite sides parallel. It comes in various types, including rectangles, squares, and rhombuses. Parallelograms are prevalent in mathematics and everyday life, appearing in anything from flooring patterns to architectural designs.

5. Parbelos (Curved Triangle)

A parbelos is a plane geometric figure formed by two arcs intersecting at three points to create a curved triangle shape. Although less common, it has been studied for its interesting geometric properties.

6. Pentafoil (Five-Petaled Flower Shape)

The pentafoil is a five-petaled flower-like shape formed by overlapping five circles in a specific pattern. It is aesthetically pleasing and can be found in various art forms and architectural designs.

7. Pentagon (Five-Sided Polygon)

The pentagon is a five-sided polygon with equal angles but not necessarily equal sides. It is a fundamental shape in geometry and plays a significant role in the study of regular polygons.

8. Plane (Flat Surface)

A plane is a two-dimensional flat surface that extends infinitely in all directions. Planes are essential in geometry as they help define points, lines, and angles.

9. Platonic Solid (Regular Solid)

Platonic solids are a group of five regular polyhedra: tetrahedron, cube, octahedron, dodecahedron, and icosahedron. They have equal faces of regular polygons and are highly symmetrical, making them fascinating objects in mathematics and philosophy.

10. Point (Infinitesimally Small Location)

A point is the most basic element in geometry, representing an infinitesimally small location in space. Despite having no dimension, points serve as the foundation for constructing all shapes and objects.

11. Polygon (Closed Plane Figure)

A polygon is a closed plane figure made up of straight-line segments connected end-to-end. Triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, and hexagons are examples of polygons commonly encountered in mathematics and everyday life.

12. Polyhedra (Three-Dimensional Solid)

Polyhedra are three-dimensional solids with flat faces, straight edges, and sharp corners. They encompass a wide range of shapes, from simple prisms and pyramids to more complex forms found in crystals and minerals.

13. Polyhedron (Solid with Flat Faces)

A polyhedron is a specific type of polyhedra that has flat faces and straight edges. They are integral to understanding spatial relationships and are used extensively in architecture and engineering.

14. Prism (Three-Dimensional Shape with Two Identical Ends)

A prism is a polyhedron with two identical polygonal faces (bases) and rectangular faces (lateral faces) connecting them. Prisms are commonly found in buildings and objects like eyeglasses, contributing to their structural strength.

15. Protractor (Angular Measuring Tool)

While not a shape itself, a protractor is a tool used to measure angles between two lines. It is an essential instrument in mathematics and engineering for accurate angular measurements.

16. Pyramid (Three-Sided Polygonal Base)

A pyramid is a polyhedron with a polygonal base and triangular faces that meet at a single point called the apex. Pyramids have been used in architecture and monumental structures throughout history, symbolizing power and spirituality.


Hope you found this article about “shapes that start with p” educative and helpful.

Do you know any other shapes that start with the letter P, that didn’t make the list?

Feel free to leave a comment below with the missing shapes and I’ll update the list as soon as possible.

And, if you are looking for other shapes that start with other letters, make sure to check my blog posts. Such as:

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