finial

noun fin·i·al \ ˈfi-nē-əl \

Updated on: 9 May 2018

Definition of finial

1 : a usually foliated ornament forming an upper extremity especially in Gothic architecture

2 : a crowning ornament or detail (such as a decorative knob)

Recent Examples of finial from the Web

There are doors and windows, architectural columns and decorative finials, balusters and spindles, as well as bins of hinges, drawer pulls and other hardware from whatever time period one desires.

— richard a. marini, San Antonio Express-News, "S.A.’s doors, windows, hardware from old homes finding new lives," 4 May 2018
Some stations’ wooden window frames are beveled, some roofs have finials, and some rounded arches are replaced with ever-so-slightly pointed arches.

— peter christensen, Smithsonian, "Just Like Faces, Buildings Have Features That Algorithms Can Recognize," 24 Apr. 2018
There is, for instance, a twinkling chess set made entirely from crystal, and a thick crystal crescent that was later taken to Europe and incorporated into the finial of a priest’s chair.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Landmark Exhibition Takes You Inside the Exuberant, Diverse World of the Fatimid Dynasty," 21 Mar. 2018
Don't start with an 8-inch finial and get stuck with no stacking room for your fabric.

— contributing writer, NOLA.com, "8 things to consider when buying drapes. It's more than finding the right fabric," 27 Feb. 2018
Wooden ceramic molds float on a kitchen wall, and bronze finials perch like cupcakes under a glass cake dome.

— kathleen hackett, ELLE Decor, "A Haven in the Hamptons," 29 June 2010
Today, Franklin’s lightning rods are known by many names: air terminals, finials, lightning conductors, or strike-termination devices among them.

— robin tricoles, The Atlantic, "The Thunderstorm Whisperers," 31 Aug. 2017
Grandmother’s table has at least seven: a chamfered-corner marble top, palmette edge, carved arabesque apron, winged maiden supports, finial topped X-stretcher and paw feet.

— jane alexiadis, The Mercury News, "What’s It Worth?: 19th-century Renaissance revival table," 9 Mar. 2017
For such a long-unsolved case, the investigation is surprisingly active into the disappearance of the artworks, which include paintings, a Chinese vase and a 19th century finial of an eagle.

— nina siegal, Bloomberg.com, "Cracking the Biggest Art Heist in History," 20 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'finial.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.