column
KO-luhm
Column (noun) means an upright supporting structure, often cylindrical, that holds up part of a building. Example: “Marble columns lined the entrance to the courthouse.”
noun
1
An upright supporting structure, often cylindrical, that holds up part of a building.
"Marble columns lined the entrance to the courthouse."
"The old barn's roof rests on four wooden columns."
"The tall stone column in the square was covered in carvings."
2
A vertical section of a table, spreadsheet, or page of text.
"Click the header to sort the column by date."
"The newspaper page was split into three columns of text."
"Add the numbers in the right-hand column to get the total."
3
A regular feature or opinion piece written by a particular writer in a newspaper or magazine.
"She writes a weekly column on personal finance."
"His sports column is the first thing many readers turn to."
"The magazine asked her to write a monthly column about gardening."
4
A long line of people, vehicles, or troops moving one behind another.
"A column of tanks rolled slowly through the town."
"A column of cyclists wound along the narrow road towards the village."
"The hikers walked in a long column behind their guide."
How to use column
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA column is something tall and upright — a physical pillar, a vertical strip of text or data, or (figuratively) a line of things moving in single file.
Common pairings
spinal column
gossip column
column of smoke
newspaper column
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Word forms
- Plural
- columns
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Marble _____ lined the entrance to the courthouse.
Etymology
From Latin columna, "pillar, post," related to Latin collis ("hill") and ultimately to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "high, raised up."
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Frequently asked questions
What does “column” mean?
The word “column” means an upright supporting structure, often cylindrical, that holds up part of a building. In plain terms, a column is something tall and upright — a physical pillar, a vertical strip of text or data, or (figuratively) a line of things moving in single file.
How do you pronounce “column”?
“Column” is pronounced KO-luhm (/ˈkɒləm/ in IPA).
How do you use “column” in a sentence?
Here is “column” used in a sentence: “Marble columns lined the entrance to the courthouse.”
What is the opposite of “column”?
The opposite of “column” — its antonyms — is row.
What part of speech is “column”?
“Column” is a noun.
Where does the word “column” come from?
The word “column” comes from Latin. From Latin columna, "pillar, post," related to Latin collis ("hill") and ultimately to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "high, raised up.".
Is “column” a common word?
“Column” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “column” have?
“Column” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an upright supporting structure, often cylindrical, that holds up part of a building.
What is the difference between a "column" and a "row"?
A column is a vertical section that runs up and down, while a row is a horizontal section that runs across. In a table or spreadsheet, columns are read top to bottom and rows left to right.
What is the difference between a "column" and a "pillar"?
Both are upright structures that support part of a building, but a column is typically cylindrical and may serve a decorative as well as a structural role. "Pillar" is a broader term for any tall vertical support, whatever its shape.
How are columns identified in a spreadsheet?
In most spreadsheets, columns are the vertical sections labelled with letters across the top (A, B, C), while rows are numbered down the side. A single cell is named by combining its column letter and row number, such as B4.
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