obelisk
Obelisk (noun) means a tall, four-sided stone pillar that narrows to a pointed top, often built as a monument. Example: “Tourists gathered around the ancient obelisk in the square.”
How to use obelisk
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tall pointed stone monument, or the dagger symbol (†) used in print.
Word forms
obelisked past tense, obelisks plural, obelisks singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Tourists gathered around the ancient _____ in the square.
Etymology
From Latin obeliscus, from Greek obeliskos, "little spit/needle" — a diminutive of obelos.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “obelisk” mean?
The word “obelisk” means a tall, four-sided stone pillar that narrows to a pointed top, often built as a monument. In plain terms, a tall pointed stone monument, or the dagger symbol (†) used in print.
How do you pronounce “obelisk”?
“Obelisk” is pronounced O-buh-lihsk (/ˈɑbəlɪsk/ in IPA).
How do you use “obelisk” in a sentence?
Here is “obelisk” used in a sentence: “Tourists gathered around the ancient obelisk in the square.”
What is another word for “obelisk”?
Words with a similar meaning to “obelisk” include aguilla, pylon and stela.
What part of speech is “obelisk”?
“Obelisk” is a noun.
Where does the word “obelisk” come from?
The word “obelisk” comes from Latin. From Latin obeliscus, from Greek obeliskos, "little spit/needle" — a diminutive of obelos.
How many meanings does “obelisk” have?
“Obelisk” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tall, four-sided stone pillar that narrows to a pointed top, often built as a monument.