Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

oblate

Adjective

/ˈɒbleɪt/

Definition

A shape that is flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator, often used in the context of spheroids or geophysical models.

Examples

The Earth is not a perfect sphere; it is an oblate spheroid, slightly flattened at the poles.
In mathematics, we study various shapes, including oblate and prolate spheroids.

Meaning

In geometry, ‘oblate’ specifically refers to a spheroid that is created by rotating an ellipse about its minor axis, resulting in a shape that is wider than it is tall.