# planar

/ˈpɫeɪnɝ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/planar
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. flat or two-dimensional

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

describing a surface that is flat or exists in only two dimensions.

For teachers: relating to or lying in a plane; two-dimensional in nature.

- The artist preferred working on a planar surface rather than using curved canvases.
- The architect emphasized the planar qualities of the building's facade, using flat stone panels to create a sense of geometric simplicity.

Usage: Usually precedes the noun it modifies.

### 2. geometry/networks

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

describing a shape or network that can be drawn on a flat surface without any lines crossing each other.

For teachers: capable of being represented in a plane without any edges intersecting.

- The students had to determine if the complex network diagram was planar.
- In graph theory, a graph is considered planar if it can be embedded in the plane such that no two edges cross one another.

Usage: Commonly used in the context of graph theory and topology.

### 3. electronics manufacturing

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

a way of making computer chips where all the parts are built on one flat layer.

For teachers: relating to a manufacturing process where components are created on a single flat surface of a semiconductor.

- The invention of the planar process changed how engineers designed modern microchips.
- The transition to planar technology allowed for the mass production of integrated circuits by enabling multiple transistors to be fabricated on a single silicon wafer.

## Examples

- The artist uses a planar style for the background.
- The architect designed a series of planar surfaces that intersect to form the building's unique roof.
- In computer graphics, complex three-dimensional objects are often broken down into thousands of small planar polygons to be rendered efficiently by the hardware.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.