column
- 01 A2 Elementary
a tall, solid post used to support a roof or as a decoration.
a vertical structural element, typically cylindrical, used to support an entablature or roof, or standing alone as a monument.
Simple“The ancient temple was famous for its tall marble columns.”
In context“The architect incorporated slender steel columns into the design to support the weight of the glass roof without obstructing the view.”
- 02 A2 Elementary
a vertical list of numbers or words in a table, going from top to bottom.
a vertical arrangement of data or text in a table, chart, or spreadsheet, contrasted with horizontal rows.
Simple“Please add up the numbers in the left-hand column.”
In context“The spreadsheet was difficult to read because the columns were too narrow to display the full names of the participants.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
a regular piece of writing in a newspaper or magazine, often by the same writer.
a recurring feature or opinion piece in a periodical, typically written by a single author or focused on a specific theme.
Simple“I always read her weekly column about healthy cooking.”
In context“The political analyst used his monthly column to critique the government's latest economic reforms and suggest alternative strategies.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
a long line of soldiers or vehicles moving together.
a formation of troops, ships, or vehicles in which they follow one another in a single line or narrow front.
Simple“A long column of tanks moved slowly down the dusty road.”
In context“The supply column was forced to halt when the lead vehicle encountered a washed-out bridge following the heavy rains.”
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
something that has a tall, thin, vertical shape.
a vertical mass or object resembling a pillar, such as a column of smoke or the spinal column.
Simple“A thick column of black smoke rose from the burning building.”
In context“The surgeon explained that the injury had affected the lower part of the patient's spinal column, causing temporary numbness in the legs.”
- 06 C1 Advanced
a glass tube used in a lab to separate different parts of a liquid.
a vertical tube, often filled with a stationary phase, used in chromatography to separate or purify chemical compounds.
Simple“The scientist carefully poured the mixture into the top of the glass column.”
In context“The laboratory technician monitored the pressure within the chromatography column to ensure the compounds were separating at the optimal flow rate for separation.”
Synonymsfractionating column
Usage columns delivered
From Middle English columne, columpne, columpe, borrowed from Old French columne, from Latin columna (“a column, pillar, post”), originally a collateral form of columen, contraction culmen (“a pillar, top, crown, summit”). Akin to Latin collis (“a hill”), celsus (“high”), probably to Ancient Greek κολοφών (kolophṓn, “top, summit”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.