column
/ˈkɑljəm/ · col·umn
noun
- A solid upright structure designed usually to support a larger structure above it, such as a roof or horizontal beam, but sometimes for decoration. The ancient temple featured a series of imposing columns supporting the weight of the roof.
- A vertical line of entries in a table, usually read from top to bottom. The spreadsheet displayed a long column of numbers, making it easy to compare the data.
- A body of troops or army vehicles, usually strung out along a road. The military convoy formed a long column, stretching for miles down the highway.
Did you know? The ancient Greeks used columns not only for structural support but also as a symbol of power and grandeur, often adorning their temples and public buildings with intricately carved columns.