spandrel

noun

span·drel | \ ˈspan-drəl

How to pronounce spandrel (audio)

\

variants: or less commonly spandril

Definition of spandrel

1 : the sometimes ornamented space between the right or left exterior curve of an arch and an enclosing right angle

2 : the triangular space beneath the string of a stair

Examples of spandrel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The span that went down was the 1905 Milwaukee Light, Heat & Traction (MLH&T) spandrel-arch bridge over the Root River, near 98th Street and Layton Avenue. — Milwaukee, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "112 years of rail history ends with demolition of interurban rail bridge in Greenfield," 3 Jan. 2018 As the new Le Meridien hotel, developers restored the building's original spandrels and replaced the clear glass. — Diane Cowen, Houston Chronicle, "Houston Mod honors preservation of mid-century buildings, arts," 21 Dec. 2017

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

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Time Traveler for spandrel

The first known use of spandrel was in the 15th century

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