A lintel is a piece of stone or wood over a door or window which supports the bricks above the door or window.
lintel in British English
(ˈlɪntəl)
noun
a horizontal beam, as over a door or window
Word origin
C14: via Old French probably from Late Latin līmitāris (unattested) of the boundary, influenced in meaning by līminaris of the threshold
lintel in American English
(ˈlɪntəl)
noun
the horizontal crosspiece over an opening, as a door, window, usually carrying the weight of the structure above it
Word origin
OFr < VL *limitellus, for limitaris, altered (by assoc. with L limes, gen. limitis, border, frontier < L liminaris, of a threshold or lintel < limen: see limen
Examples of 'lintel' in a sentence
lintel
He had awakened regenerated and he was now standing in the kitchen doorway, the crest of his hat not an inch from the lintel.
McCorquodale, Robin DANSVILLE (2002)
One hand was stretched to the high lintel, the other was arched low on his hip.
McCorquodale, Robin DANSVILLE (2002)
Then, in a vicious splurge, flames spat around the lintel of the door itself.