columns

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 Similarly to the Chicago Theatre, the Rapp & Rapp team designed a balcony that spanned the breadth of the auditorium without any columns to block the spectators below, Loerzel and Pierce's book noted. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 The towering marble columns in the two-story lobby and the old-fashioned elevators with dials tracking the cars’ locations are but two of the many elements retained from the days when the edifice, built in 1911, was the Union National Bank. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026 The demonstrators vastly outnumbered the security personnel lining the road, while columns of riot police stood watch. — Sheikh Saaliq, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 This is one of a series of columns predicting the nominations in key categories for the 2027 Grammys. — Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 Throughout a half-century in journalism, insights – and in many cases, direct quotes – from a course on Shakespeare, another on the King James Bible, a third on geology, and another on American diplomatic history found their way into my columns. — David Shribman, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2026 Yet, the city views from her new outdoor space — of water towers, decorative brick and tilework, arches and columns and rooftop gardens — help soften the transition. — Tanya Fevzi, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026 At The Aster, a boutique hotel and members club in Hollywood, guests can begin the day with classes in the reformer Pilates studio, where old-world dark wood and ornamental columns are paired with high-tech apparatus. — Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026 Floral motifs appear throughout the mosque’s floors and walls, while columns rise like flower stems, each inlaid with mother-of-pearl and semi-precious stones that climb toward capitals shaped like palm fronds. — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for columns
Noun
  • Ohtani didn’t rule anything out in his postgame scrum, several rows deep, in front of his locker after the Dodgers’ 6-4 defeat in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The ICUs were quiet also, because rows of patients slowly dying on ventilators don’t make noise.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
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
Noun
  • Jayendu Krishna, a director at Drewry Maritime Advisors, said none of the major container shipping lines had resumed services through Hormuz since suspending operations following the outbreak of the war in February.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • To judge from the lines of young, very devoted fans snaking around the cemetery, Geese has already built the requisite subculture to thrive longer-term.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The 53-year-old is looking to make a statement, paying homage to hip-hop’s roots and pillars with his next project.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The three pillars of regenerative agriculture Here’s an easy way to picture it.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The group also raised specific concerns about the project’s traffic analysis, driveway design, drive-through vehicle queues, noise study and assessment of potential health risks from the gas station.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • With queues that wrap around the block, fans of Kim Kardashian can also visit Lane Crawford’s NikeSkims corner for a more breezy shopping experience.
    — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The high-end hardware makes standard computing tasks—browsing, loading large files, multitasking across apps—very smooth.
    — Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The non-prosecution decision was delivered to the family prior to turnover of any files, which, as of this writing, has yet to occur.
    — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Watch for unexplained web addresses, encoded strings or commands that download and immediately execute remote scripts.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Choose solid objects over anything with netting, strings, ropes, ribbons or other materials in which an animal could become entangled.
    — Katie Koschalk, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Teddy bears and trains, baseballs and dolls dance through the air into Santa's enormous sack, which sits at Santa's feet, or rather Harry's, who is perched high on the throne at the back of the float, magnificent in white whiskers and red velvet.
    — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Longer trains were also in full force to create an extra dramatic moment while heading down the aisle.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Columns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/columns. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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