pediment
1 synonym for pediment, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — In architecture, a triangular gable found above the entablature, resting directly on the columns of a classical building.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
fronton
How to use pediment
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
triangular pediment
carved pediment
pediment above the entrance
desert pediment
It's a specialist term, appearing mainly in architecture and geology writing.
Etymology
The word comes from an earlier form, peremint, which may have been a dialectal alteration of pyramid, later shaped by the ending -ment.
Full origin of pediment →Frequently asked questions
What is a pediment in architecture?
It's the triangular gable set above the entablature of a classical building, resting on top of the columns.
What does pediment mean in geology?
It refers to a very gently sloping bedrock surface, usually inclined at only a fraction of a degree up to a few degrees.
Where does the word pediment come from?
It developed from an older form, peremint, possibly a dialectal twist on pyramid, later influenced by the suffix -ment.
