In terms of polygons, what does 'convex' mean?

A convex polygon is defined by the property that all its interior angles measure less than 180 degrees. This characteristic ensures that when you draw a line segment between any two points inside the polygon, that line segment will always lie completely inside the polygon. This is a key aspect of convex polygons because it distinguishes them from concave polygons, which can have at least one interior angle greater than 180 degrees, creating a "cavity" or indentation in its shape.

Considering other definitions, all sides being straight pertains to whether the polygon is regular or irregular, but does not define "convex" specifically. Similarly, while the absence of sides relates more to the concept of a polygon itself, it does not apply to convex shapes. Thus, the defining feature of having all interior angles less than 180 degrees is crucial to understanding what makes a polygon convex.