SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

pergola

play

noun per·go·la \ˈpər-gə-lə, pər-ˈgō-\

Definition of pergola

1 : arbor, trellis
2 : a structure usually consisting of parallel colonnades supporting an open roof of girders and cross rafters

Origin and Etymology of pergola

Italian, from Latin pergula

First Known Use: 1664

Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, cornice, fanlight, garret, lintel, parapet, pilaster, plinth

Learn More about pergola

See words that rhyme with pergola Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pergola

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up pergola? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

skosh

play

a small amount

Words at Play

alt-59270ec8a7c80

A New Dictionary for a New President

JFK and Webster's Third

alt-5926e94cc0e45

'Climate' Change

No denying this word's history

alt-5925b73b3a62e

'Author' is a Verb

Beyond the mere act of writing

alt-592708149cf54

Don't Catch 'Flack' for Using 'Flak'

How a word for antiaircraft guns came to refer to PR pro

Ask the Editors

Is it wrong to use 'decimate' to mean 'destroy'?

Language changes

The Serial Comma

Why don't they call it the Merriam-Webster comma?

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

Winning Words from Scripps Spelling Bee Quiz

Can you outdo past winners of the Spelling Bee?

Take the quiz

peter-bruegel-tower-of-babel-painting

Where in the World? A Quiz

Do you know what languages these words come from?

Take the quiz

True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

Play the game