How many sides does a hexagon have?

A hexagon is defined as a polygon with six sides. The word "hexagon" itself comes from the Greek prefix "hexa," which means six. Each side of a hexagon contributes to its overall shape, which can either be regular (with all sides and angles equal) or irregular (with sides and/or angles of different lengths).

Recognizing the properties of polygons is important for a foundational understanding of geometry. Knowing that a hexagon has six sides helps in distinguishing it from other shapes such as pentagons (which have five sides), heptagons (which have seven sides), and octagons (which have eight sides). Thus, the answer of six sides accurately identifies the fundamental characteristic of a hexagon.