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

The park commemorates the battle of King’s Mountain, a significant victory in the revolutionary war, and offers a variety of outdoor activities and an obelisk monument, for those wishing to memorialize the revolutionary spirit. — Eva Flowe june 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2026

Stretching some 2,000 feet (610 meters) from the steps of the memorial toward the Washington Monument at the center of the National Mall, the pool perfectly frames Lincoln’s view of the memorial to his predecessor and reflects the obelisk in its shallow waters. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 June 2026

Only in the late 19th century did the United States and Mexico demarcate the international line with small stone obelisks that looked like miniature Washington monuments. — Geraldo L. Cadava, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026

The Women's Garden is another impressive green space on the opposite side of the obelisk as the Great Lawn that honors the Suffrage Movement. — Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 19 June 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

Rhymes for obelisk

• basilisk
• bisque
• brisk
• disc
• disk
• fisc
• fisk
• frisk
• risk
• whisk
• videodisc

Kids Definition

obelisk

noun

obe·​lisk ˈäb-ə-ˌlisk 

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