column

col·umn

noun \ˈkä-ləm also ˈkäl-yəm\

Definition of COLUMN

1

a : a vertical arrangement of items printed or written on a page b : one of two or more vertical sections of a printed page separated by a rule or blank space c : an accumulation arranged vertically : stack d : one in a usually regular series of newspaper or magazine articles <gossip column>

2

: a supporting pillar; especially : one consisting of a usually round shaft, a capital, and a base

3

a : something resembling a column in form, position, or function <a column of water> b : a tube or cylinder in which a chromatographic separation takes place

4

: a long row (as of soldiers)

5

: one of the vertical lines of elements of a determinant or matrix

6

: a statistical category or grouping <put another game in the win column>

— col·umned \-ləmd, -yəmd\ adjective

Examples of COLUMN

1. a facade with marble columns
2. Add the first column of numbers.
3. The article takes up three columns.
4. The error appears at the bottom of the second column.
5. She writes a weekly column for the paper.

Illustration of COLUMN

Origin of COLUMN

Middle English columne, from Anglo-French columpne, from Latin columna, from columen top; akin to Latin collis hill — more at hill

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to COLUMN

Synonyms: line, cue, file, queue, range, string, train

Related Words: echelon, rank, row, tier; chain, progression, sequence, succession; array

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, cornice, fanlight, garret, lintel, parapet, pilaster, plinth

Rhymes with COLUMN

slalom, solemn