obelisk

noun

obe·​lisk ˈä-bə-ˌlisk How to pronounce obelisk (audio)
 also  ˈō-
1
: an upright 4-sided usually monolithic pillar that gradually tapers as it rises and terminates in a pyramid
2

Illustration of obelisk

Illustration of obelisk
  • obelisk 1

Examples of obelisk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In terms of design, the Linksys Velop Pro 7 continues the ongoing tradition of air freshener chic white obelisks the line is known for. Wes Davis, The Verge, 26 Oct. 2023 Stones, crystals, and obelisks are grouped according to color with pithy descriptions of their beneficial properties. Monica Corcoran Harel, Travel + Leisure, 16 Oct. 2023 Dan Long, the owner of Brushwood Nursery, a mail order specialty vine nursery near Athens, Ga., likes to tuck compact varieties, such as Baby Star and Bijou, into containers fitted with a slender, lightweight wire or wood obelisk. Tovah Martin, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2023 The titular collections include woven trunks, wicker ceiling lights and obelisks of various kinds, all photographed by Pierre Musellec. John Wogan Laura Bannister Tariro Mzezewa Elissa Suh Dana Covit Jameson Montgomery, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2023 Related: The Best Times to Visit Argentina — From Buzzy Buenos Aires to Rugged Patagonia 01 Walk from Plaza de Mayo to the obelisk. Harrison Pierce, Travel + Leisure, 1 Oct. 2023 The All-Watching Eye Sun sets above the obelisk, where cameras are placed on the top and 9 de Julio avenue in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Karen Naundorf, WIRED, 13 Sep. 2023 On the other side of Central Park, his 432 Park Avenue stands like an obelisk at nearly 1,400-feet high. Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2023 Birmingham, Alabama, obscured and eventually removed an obelisk despite threats and fines from the state. Abhinav S. Krishnan, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'obelisk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of obelisk was in 1561

Dictionary Entries Near obelisk

Cite this Entry

“Obelisk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obelisk. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

obelisk

noun
obe·​lisk ˈäb-ə-ˌlisk How to pronounce obelisk (audio)
: a four-sided pillar that becomes narrower toward the top and ends in a pyramid

More from Merriam-Webster on obelisk

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