Bases

• A prism boasts two faces that are parallel to each other called bases. These bases must be made of polygons that are of the same shape. If one thought of a box sitting on the ground, then the top and bottom of the box could be considered the two, congruent bases.
  
  

Faces

• The "sides" of a prism consist of faces that are also parralelograms. These are called lateral faces. To take the example of the box, the four sides would be referred to as the lateral faces if it was a prism. There are as many lateral faces are there are sides on the shape of the two bases.
  
  

Intersections

• Where the faces meet each other are called lateral edges. These edges will never touch each other, but they will extend for the length of the side of the prism and touch both of the bases. Once all of three characteristics are met, a three dimensional prism has been created.
  
  

Shapes

• A prism can take any shape as long as the two bases are the same shape. The prism is named for this shape, such as a triangular prism, a rectangular prism, a hexagonal prism and so on. A cube is the only prism where all of the sides will be the same, faces and bases included.
  
  

Three Dimensions

• All prisms, when constructed according to the above characteristics are three dimensional. This means that they have height, width and length. Prisms will also have a surface area and a volume that can be mathematically calculated.