Illustration of column
- column 2
column
noun
col·umn ˈkä-ləm 
also ˈkäl-yəm
1
a
: a vertical arrangement of items printed or written on a page
columns of numbers
b
: one of two or more vertical sections of a printed page separated by a rule or blank space
The news article takes up three columns.
c
: an accumulation arranged vertically : stack
columns of paint cans
d
: one in a usually regular series of newspaper or magazine articles
the gossip column
advice columns
2
: a supporting pillar
especially : one consisting of a usually round shaft, a capital, and a base
a colonnade of marble columns
3
a
: something resembling a column in form, position, or function
a column of water
columns of smoke
b
: a tube or cylinder in which a chromatographic separation takes place
4
: a long row (as of soldiers)
columns of troops
5
: one of the vertical lines of elements of a determinant or matrix
6
: a statistical category or grouping
put another game in the win column
columned
ˈkä-ləmd
adjective ˈkäl-yəmd
Synonyms
- cue
- file
- line
- queue
- range
- string
- train
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a facade with marble columns Add the first column of numbers. The article takes up three columns. The error appears at the bottom of the second column. She writes a weekly column for the paper.
Recent Examples on the Web The views and opinions expressed in this column are the authors, and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. 
Riley Gutiérrez Mcdermid, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 Send information about Ellicott City people, places and happenings for this column to Janetkusterer21042@gmail.com. Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2022 The question that once bemused this column about whether pure-play, general-interest subscription streaming can work as a standalone business model hasn’t been bemusing in a while. Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2022 Last year, this column featured the chapter at its first build to bring beds to those who have none. cleveland, 5 Sep. 2022 This column is not meant to denigrate Camping World Stadium. Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2022 As this column observed when the US left Afghanistan at the end of August last year, the 'war on terror' resources could now be freed up for focus elsewhere. Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Tell us about your experience watching Serena Williams play in the form at the end of this column. Kurt Streeter, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2022 Vadym Lysanskiy and his wife waited for the column to the Luhansk region to depart. Ian Lovett, WSJ, 26 July 2022 See More
Riley Gutiérrez Mcdermid, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 Send information about Ellicott City people, places and happenings for this column to Janetkusterer21042@gmail.com. Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2022 The question that once bemused this column about whether pure-play, general-interest subscription streaming can work as a standalone business model hasn’t been bemusing in a while. Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2022 Last year, this column featured the chapter at its first build to bring beds to those who have none. cleveland, 5 Sep. 2022 This column is not meant to denigrate Camping World Stadium. Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2022 As this column observed when the US left Afghanistan at the end of August last year, the 'war on terror' resources could now be freed up for focus elsewhere. Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Tell us about your experience watching Serena Williams play in the form at the end of this column. Kurt Streeter, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2022 Vadym Lysanskiy and his wife waited for the column to the Luhansk region to depart. Ian Lovett, WSJ, 26 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English columne, from Anglo-French columpne, from Latin columna, from columen top; akin to Latin collis hill — more at hill
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing column
Kids Definition
column
noun
col·umn ˈkä-ləm
1
: one of two or more vertical sections of a printed page
Read the article in the left column.
2
: a group of items shown one under the other down a page
a column of figures
3
: a regular feature in a newspaper or magazine
a sports column
4
: a pillar used to support a building
5
: something that is tall or thin in shape or arrangement
a column of smoke
6
: a long straight row
a column of soldiers
Medical Definition
column
noun
col·umn ˈkäl-əm
: a longitudinal subdivision of the spinal cord that resembles a column or pillar: as
a
: any of the principal longitudinal subdivisions of gray matter or white matter in each lateral half of the spinal cord see dorsal horn, gray column, lateral column sense 1, ventral horn compare funiculus sense a
b
: any of a number of smaller bundles of spinal nerve fibers : fasciculus
column
noun
1
as in row
a series of persons or things arranged one behind another a column of ants stretched between the fallen hot dog and the ant hill Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- row
- line
- queue
- string
- file
- train
- range
- cue
- rank
- chain
- sequence
- tier
- array
- succession
- echelon
- progression
2
as in pilaster
an upright shaft that supports an overhead structure engraved columns supported the arch on either side Synonyms & Similar Words
- pilaster
- pillar
- post
- pier
- stanchion
- caryatid
- pedestal
- obelisk
- piling
- buttress
- needle
- pile
- flying buttress