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 Guest floors are color coded, and the hallways include leaning columns that display the building’s architectural history. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 14 Nov. 2026 In July, several buildings in Manhattan were evacuated after support columns buckled inside a skyscraper that once was the headquarters of Pfizer. — ABC News, 13 Nov. 2026 In July, several buildings in Manhattan were evacuated after support columns buckled inside a skyscraper that was formerly the headquarters of Pfizer. — Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026 For photographers, the possibilities are exceptional — columns and temples may provide an ancient foreground, while wider compositions could incorporate the beach and dunes. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 12 Nov. 2026 Bruce Macdonald, Fort Collins Sign up for Sound Off to get a weekly roundup of our columns, editorials and more. — Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 12 Nov. 2026 The old structure couldn’t support the ballroom’s necessary security features, says the White House, including blast-proof windows, fortified walls, and missile-resistant columns. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 11 Nov. 2026 The Lobby serves Hong Kong’s most famous afternoon tea between Corinthian columns. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026 Two support columns helped make the DJ stand feel built-in, and Phelps added cascading fabric, plants, and rows of candles, a design based on a party image Hubley had taken. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for columns
  1. rows
  2. pilasters
  3. lines
  4. pillars
  5. queues
  6. files
  7. strings
  8. trains
Noun
  • Sheets of paper taped up across the wall and windows bore three-letter initials of various airports, with bags for their corresponding outbound flights lined up in tight rows.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 14 Nov. 2026
  • On the counter are rows of pills in cups, inhalers, and, next to them, Old Spice deodorant, each with the name of the older children in permanent marker.
    — Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of rows
Noun
  • Ionic pilasters and a modern light fixture dress up the staircase.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The small saints on side pilasters were sold off on the antiques market.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of pilasters
Noun
  • That includes the biggest cruise lines and the largest vessels.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 Nov. 2026
  • Weeks before the shooting, Rob Andrew told police someone was trying to kill him after the brake lines on his car were cut.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of lines
Noun
  • The three pillars of Dan Hicks’ career as an NBC Sports broadcaster were golf, the Olympics and Notre Dame football, in no particular order.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The researchers use electron-beam lithography to carve the diamond into nanoscale pillars.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of pillars
Noun
  • The infrastructure supporting that agent, however, often relies on fragmented tools, manual investigations, specialist handoffs and tickets sitting in queues.
    — Dilip Kumar, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Cheaper lift passes, shorter queues and fewer interruptions on the slopes also sweeten the deal, without compromising on skiing quality.
    — Will Barker, TheWeek, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of queues
Noun
  • That outage prompted fears of a cyberattack, but the FAA later determined the issue was caused when contract workers inadvertently deleted critical files.
    — Juliana Kim, NPR, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Tired of paying every month just to keep your files in the cloud?
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of files
Noun
  • The Sicilian marionettes were giant puppets, each around four feet high and controlled from above not by strings but iron rods.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 2026
  • My Beloved‘s songs are mostly mid-tempo and melody-forward, with an acoustic underpinning and careful nuances enhanced with strings, keyboards and hand percussion.
    — Gary Graff, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of strings
Noun
  • Several residents said the street already experiences backups, particularly when trains cross nearby railroad tracks.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The fiery collision shut down the Metra BSNF Line for hours, resulting in multiple trains being canceled and officials warning riders to make alternate plans for afternoon commutes.
    — Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 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 14 Nov. 2026.

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