column

noun

ˈkä-ləm How to pronounce column (audio)
Definition of columnnext
1
as in line
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

Relevance
2
as in pilaster
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 column Noonan's column also manifests the larger substantive concern, already being expressed by some of those involved in the rapid development of AI, that the new technology could escape human control and even threaten the existence of humankind. — Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026 The column emphasizes that these are forecasts, not certainties. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026 And this column is eternally grateful for his help in getting us through another day of quadrupleheader weirdness and wildness. — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 Guests Adriana Lima, Honey Dijon, Soo Joo Park and Cindy Bruna were also dressed in vintage Donna Karan, appearing in an assortment of slip dresses, column silhouettes and other pieces from the brand’s heyday. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for column
Recent Examples of Synonyms for column
  1. line
  2. pilaster
  3. queue
  4. pillar
  5. row
  6. string
  7. file
Noun
  • The lobby of the Alida, which opened in 2018, has clean lines and tasteful mid-century furniture.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • This buffoon thinks Trump was way out of line, writes columnist Steve Lopez.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of line
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 pilaster
Noun
  • One prospective shopper, Sam, a 38-year-old freelance fashion designer, was drawn in first by the queue, but decided to stick it out.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Watching an alert queue and flagging what’s malicious is only part of a security operator’s job.
    — Lydia Zhang, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of queue
Noun
  • The officer stops at the pillar between the car’s windows, such that the driver must crane their neck backward to make eye contact and could only open fire awkwardly.
    — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • For generations, American streets and parks showcased the tall, stately pillars of rows and rows of elm trees.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of pillar
Noun
  • But moments before the nosedive, passengers seated near the front of the plane heard sounds of a fight inside the cockpit, said passenger Daniel Schlichter, who was seated in the second row.
    — SAM MEDNICK, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • An interior row of round sapphires hugs the neck, while tsavorites, tourmalines, and light-blue sapphires recreate the frothing and churning of the falls.
    — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of row
Noun
  • Allen was dropped by his record label after a series of lawsuits were filed against him a few years ago (one was eventually dropped), but has quietly attempted a comeback, releasing a string of new songs and covers.
    — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Maybe a string of one-possession wins exposed their good fortune.
    — Sam McDowell October 2, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of string
Noun
  • According to Nvidia, OpenShell puts AI agents inside isolated environments to restrict access to files, tools, networks, credentials and other resources.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The Lenovo laptop is behind this pack of competitors at rendering scenes, converting videos, and editing graphic design files.
    — Marshall Honorof, PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of file

Phrases Containing column

Browse Nearby Words

columbarium
column
columnist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Column.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/column. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on column

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about column

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of inscrutable

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name tags
Words Named After People Quiz Find out who’s behind "leotard," "morphine," an...
See All