obelisk

noun

obe·​lisk ˈä-bə-ˌlisk 

also ˈō-

1

: an upright 4-sided usually monolithic pillar that gradually tapers as it rises and terminates in a pyramid

2

a

: obelus

b

: dagger sense 2b

Illustration of obelisk

• obelisk 1

Examples of obelisk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Better just to glimpse, out of the corner of his eye, the obelisk with its modernist air rising up in the center of the plaza and only get a fleeting, distant view of the wind rose at its base. —Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026

My journey began, in fact, with two nights at Orient Express La Minerva, a ravishing new Roman hotel quite literally steps from the Pantheon, directly in front of Bernini’s iconic elephant and obelisk statue in the Piazza della Minerva. —Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026

Pyramids and obelisks are sun symbols, and Hawksmoor and his fellow Masons have positioned them round the city. —Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

The memorial will consist of two obelisk-style monuments on the north walls of the Legacy Pedestrian Bridge over the Dallas North Tollway. —Sasha Richie, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin obeliscus "four-sided pillar," borrowed from Greek obelískos "skewer, four-sided pillar," diminutive of obelós "spit, four-sided pillar" — more at obelus

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

obelisk

noun

obe·​lisk ˈäb-ə-ˌlisk 

: a four-sided pillar that becomes narrower toward the top and ends in a pyramid