Illustration of lintel
- 1 lintel
lintel
noun
lin·tel ˈlin-tᵊl 
: a horizontal architectural member spanning and usually carrying the load above an opening
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Enlarge / Stonehenge as viewed from the northeast, showing the post-and-lintel construction of the Sarsen Circle. 
Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 4 May 2022 Enlarge / Stonehenge as viewed from the northeast, showing the post-and-lintel construction of the Sarsen Circle. Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 4 May 2022 Enlarge / Stonehenge as viewed from the northeast, showing the post-and-lintel construction of the Sarsen Circle. Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 4 May 2022 Enlarge / Stonehenge as viewed from the northeast, showing the post-and-lintel construction of the Sarsen Circle. Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 4 May 2022 Enlarge / Stonehenge as viewed from the northeast, showing the post-and-lintel construction of the Sarsen Circle. Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 4 May 2022 This creates a noticeably compact rear door aperture, requiring a duck of the head to get past the curved lintel. Jonathon Ramsey, Car and Driver, 13 Apr. 2022 There is also an inner ring of smaller bluestones and, within that ring, several free-standing trilithons (larger sarsens joined by one lintel). Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 8 Mar. 2022 Enlarge / Stonehenge as viewed from the northeast, showing the post-and-lintel construction of the Sarsen Circle. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 8 Mar. 2022 See More
Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 4 May 2022 Enlarge / Stonehenge as viewed from the northeast, showing the post-and-lintel construction of the Sarsen Circle. Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 4 May 2022 Enlarge / Stonehenge as viewed from the northeast, showing the post-and-lintel construction of the Sarsen Circle. Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 4 May 2022 Enlarge / Stonehenge as viewed from the northeast, showing the post-and-lintel construction of the Sarsen Circle. Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 4 May 2022 Enlarge / Stonehenge as viewed from the northeast, showing the post-and-lintel construction of the Sarsen Circle. Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 4 May 2022 This creates a noticeably compact rear door aperture, requiring a duck of the head to get past the curved lintel. Jonathon Ramsey, Car and Driver, 13 Apr. 2022 There is also an inner ring of smaller bluestones and, within that ring, several free-standing trilithons (larger sarsens joined by one lintel). Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 8 Mar. 2022 Enlarge / Stonehenge as viewed from the northeast, showing the post-and-lintel construction of the Sarsen Circle. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 8 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French *lintel, alteration of linter threshold, from Late Latin limitaris, from Latin, constituting a boundary, from limit-, limes boundary
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
lintel
noun
lin·tel ˈlin-tᵊl
: a horizontal piece or part across the top of an opening (as of a door) to carry the weight of the structure above it