What is the total number of sides in a hexagon?

A hexagon is a polygon specifically defined by having six sides. The term "hexagon" originates from the Greek words "hex" meaning six and "gonia" meaning angle. Consequently, when you hear the word hexagon, the key characteristic to remember is that it contains exactly six edges, which directly correlates to the six vertices (corners) it has.

Understanding the structure of polygons helps clarify the number of sides for various shapes. For instance, a triangle has three sides, a quadrilateral has four sides, a pentagon has five sides, and so forth. By this sequence, a hexagon fits perfectly as the next logical shape with six sides, demonstrating clear adherence to this naming convention based on the number of sides.