How many sides does a hexagon have?

A hexagon is defined as a polygon with six sides. The roots of the term "hexagon" can be traced back to the Greek words "hex," meaning six, and "gonia," meaning angle. Thus, when considering the properties and definitions of polygons, it's clear that a hexagon must contain exactly six line segments, each connected at their endpoints to form the shape. This fundamental characteristic is what identifies a hexagon among other polygons.

The other options do not align with the definition of a hexagon. A polygon with four sides is a quadrilateral, five sides correspond to a pentagon, and seven sides refer to a heptagon. Each of these shapes has distinct properties and classifications based on the number of sides, but only the definition of a hexagon pertains to having exactly six sides, reaffirming that the choice of six sides is indeed the correct answer.