How many sides does a dodecagon have?

A dodecagon is a polygon characterized specifically by having twelve sides. The prefix "dodeca-" comes from Ancient Greek, meaning twelve, which directly signifies that the figure in question has twelve edges or sides.

In geometry, polygons are classified based on the number of their sides, and recognizing the names of polygons can aid in identifying their characteristics quickly. For example, a triangle has three sides, a quadrilateral has four, and so on. A dodecagon fits into this sequence clearly by virtue of its twelve sides.

This understanding is important not only in naming polygons but also in practical applications such as calculating the area or perimeter of the shape, which can then involve using the number of sides as a fundamental part of the calculations.