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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 The restaurant itself is spectacular, featuring a water fountain at its center and original Roman columns. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026 The new design uses 17 extraction columns across four core processing sections to handle tasks that previously required over 70 conventional tanks. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2026 This is part of a series of columns about the decline of shame in the age of social media. — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2026 All told, there were 17 stories and columns about the 9/11 attacks in the issue. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026 The work’s top levels depict human and mythological figures arranged between rows of columns; below them is a detailed rendering of a port city. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Out front, a striking carport canopy dramatically curves over the angled driveway, suspended by slender steel support columns. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2026 The Executive Mansion’s front columns had been covered since July. — Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026 The president had ordered repairs to the iconic, and Ionic, columns outside the White House entrance. — Dan Diamond, Washington Post, 5 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for columns
  1. rows
  2. pilasters
  3. lines
  4. pillars
  5. queues
  6. files
  7. strings
  8. trains
Noun
  • In Judge Monica Neuman’s court, a toddler with braids walked in between the rows of benches and dropped milk on the carpet.
    — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Both the Kia Seltos and Honda HR-V make good use of their compact dimensions, offering roomy cabins with generous space in both rows.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 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
  • The brand recommends applying the creamy, medium-coverage formula around the smile lines, along the sides of the lips, on the chin, and at the center of the forehead to strategically lift and subtly brighten the entire face.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The line has gone up against one of the largest defensive lines in the country at Oregon, and then faced at home a Memphis defense that put huge pressure on opposing QBs through its first two games.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of lines
Noun
  • Since 2023, Interparfums launched new extensions and collections to put in place pillars including Uomo, Just Cavalli and Marbleous.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Once inside, curved cherrywood ceilings and tree-like pillars tower over the tables, booths and bar for a cinematic effect.
    — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of pillars
Noun
  • The smooth journeys contrasted with the train queues at Zandvoort last month and the long wait for taxis to leave the Hungaroring in July.
    — Luke Smith, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • In a wartorn country where air travel is too perilous to even consider, the roads are the obvious option, but are jammed, precarious, and cursed with long, torturous border queues.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of queues
Noun
  • Several other files related to Project Blue Book were also included in Friday's disclosure.
    — Stefan Becket, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • At the time of this story’s publication, subject matter experts have only partially checked the Lean files.
    — Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of files
Noun
  • There are only so many tennis players who care about what kind of strings a coach and player might prefer.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • If that were true, and there were actually no strings attached, Centene would even get a charitable deduction.
    — Darryll K. Jones, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of strings
Noun
  • The leaders of America’s largest transit systems say there are common problems that plague them all, including riders who do not pay their fare on trains and buses, cybersecurity threats and a need to modernize systems.
    — Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Per-gallon prices for diesel, the fuel type utilized in trucks and trains, hit fresh records on Wednesday.
    — Jeff Cox,Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 16 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 19 Sep. 2026.

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