columns

noun

plural of column
1
as in rows
a series of persons or things arranged one behind another a column of ants stretched between the fallen hot dog and the ant hill

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in pilasters
an upright shaft that supports an overhead structure engraved columns supported the arch on either side

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of columns But since they’re still required by the rules to play all 27 outs, the Phillies just keep hijacking these Weird and Wild columns. — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 And the Arverne Pier Theater wore its neoclassical inspirations on its sleeve, complete with Corinthian columns and a half-round pediment. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026 Waiting for them across the way were dozens of Ford pickup trucks lined up in columns to take them into town. — Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026 Two brick chimneys bordered a shingled roof, the front portico edged by columns. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026 Between frames there are glimpses of walls, feet, columns, as if your eye is tracking across the table or room. — Caitlín Doherty, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 Some columns from that time showed more nuance or even compassion, including an opinion piece published by The Washington Post in February 2002. — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 The district also provided only hourly wages for some employees and annual pay for others, hence the two separate pay columns in our database. — Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026 The special nighttime ceremony will feature two light columns representing the Twin Towers, a candlelight vigil, a musical tribute including the Dundee-Crown High School marching band and guest speakers. — Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for columns
  1. rows
  2. pilasters
  3. lines
  4. pillars
  5. queues
  6. files
  7. strings
  8. trains
Noun
  • Inside, rows of in-house brand American Hat Company (manufactured in Bowie) line the walls, and customers queue up for sessions with its team of experienced shapers.
    — Christine Lennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Videos show crowds trying to flee a surging wall of mud, rows of buses and trucks swept aside like toys, and bridges cracked apart and swept away.
    — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of rows
Noun
  • The small saints on side pilasters were sold off on the antiques market.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Even now, its fins and pilasters adorn plenty of new construction, and in real-estate-speak, the phrase is code for high class.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 8 June 2026
Definition of pilasters
Noun
  • Over the past few days, the people at the front of the lines have gradually moved closer and closer to the courtroom, to the point where the doors can barely open without bumping into a throng of people.
    — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Magnus had almost entirely eradicated the type of commentary that divided fans along political and racial lines.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of lines
Noun
  • Volkswagen’s prosperity was recently based on two pillars – huge profits earned in China, and the highly successful German base where its engineers led the world for decades in making and exporting advanced sedans and SUVs.
    — Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Narrower set of engines Next week's nonfarm payrolls report could also give some reassurance on how the economy is doing, which remains robust but with weakening pillars of support.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of pillars
Noun
  • The attention has gone to agents that go and do things, releasing payments, working collections queues, closing the books.
    — David Zwick, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Continuing Biki Oberoi’s tradition, The Oberoi Mumbai eschews buffet breakfasts in favour of tableside service, thereby foregoing queues or crowded counters.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of queues
Noun
  • This time, there is no First Look Report — the raw data files are the primary sources of information.
    — Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Under Romanian law, the indictment gets sent to a preliminary court chamber, where a judge will inspect the case files to ensure legality.
    — Reuters, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of files
Noun
  • Many bettors use nonsensical pseudonyms or random strings of letters and numbers for their aliases.
    — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Buildings strewn with strings of lightbulbs at the World’s Fair in 1893.
    — Alison J. Stein, HubSpot, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of strings
Noun
  • Gasoline gets more of the attention because of the consumer impact, but diesel powers trucks, tractors, trains, boats and construction vehicles at the heart of the modern economy.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Some public transit buses and trains also run on diesel — and diesel generators are often used for backup or emergency power, if not central electricity sources in some remote parts of the world.
    — Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of trains

Browse Nearby Words

columnists
columns
coma
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Columns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/columns. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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