plural columns
1
: a long post made of steel, stone, etc., that is used as a support in a building
a facade with marble columns
2
a
: a group of printed or written items (such as numbers or words) shown one under the other down a page
Add the first column of numbers.
b
: any one of two or more sections of print that appear next to each other on a page and are separated by a blank space or a line
The article takes up three columns.
The error appears at the bottom of the second column.
3
: an article in a newspaper or magazine that appears regularly and that is written by a particular writer or deals with a particular subject
a sports/gossip column
She writes a weekly column for the paper.
4
: something that is tall and thin in shape
—often + of
Columns of smoke rose from the chimneys.
5
: a long row of people or things
—often + of
a column of troops/cars
Cite this Entry
“Column.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/column. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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