columnist

noun

col·​um·​nist ˈkä-ləm-nist How to pronounce columnist (audio)
-lə-mist,
 also  ˈkäl-yəm-nist,
-yə-mist
: one who writes a newspaper or magazine column
columnistic
ˌkä-ləm-ˈni-stik How to pronounce columnist (audio)
 also  ˌkäl-yəm-
adjective

Examples of columnist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
About this series Goldsmith is a Union-Tribune contributing columnist. Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025 Our roster includes columnists like Sam Amick, Fred Katz, John Hollinger and Joe Vardon. Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025 Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's senior national college football columnist. Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY, 9 Oct. 2025 Julia Sherwin, mom of three and former parenting columnist, told that becoming a parent with her husband Todd was daunting. Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for columnist

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of columnist was in 1917

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Columnist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/columnist. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

columnist

noun
col·​um·​nist ˈkäl-əm-(n)əst How to pronounce columnist (audio)
: a person who writes a newspaper or magazine column
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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