Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

acroterion

noun
ac·​ro·​te·​ri·​on | \ ˌa-krə-ˈtir-ē-ˌän, -ē-ən\
variants: or acroterium \ ˌa-​krə-​ˈtir-​ē-​əm \ or akroterion \ ˌa-​krə-​ˈtir-​ē-​ˌän , -​ē-​ən \ or acroter or less commonly akroter \ ˈa-​krə-​tər \
plural acroteria or akroteria\ ˌa-​krə-​ˈtir-​ē-​ə \ or acroters also akroters

Definition of acroterion

: a pedestal placed on a pediment to support a statue or other ornamentation also : an ornament similarly placed (as on the prow of a galley)

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of acroterion

1664, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for acroterion

acroterion, akroterion from Greek akrōtērion, from akros topmost, extreme; akin to Greek akē point; acroterium from Latin, from Greek akrōtērion; acroter, akroter from French acrotère, from Latin acroterium

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about acroterion

Statistics for acroterion

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for acroterion

The first known use of acroterion was in 1664

See more words from the same year

Comments on acroterion

What made you want to look up acroterion? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

contraption

Listen to the pronounciation of contraption

a device or gadget

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a closeup of a sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games