co·lum·nar \kəˈləmnə(r)\adjective Etymology: Late Latin columnaris, from Latin columna column + -aris -ar 1.: formed in columns : having the form of a column : like the shaft of a column < columnar forms > 2.: of, relating to, or characterized by columns < columnar construction > as a.cryptology: in columns : vertical < columnar writing > b.: by columns < columnar transposition > 3.: of, derived from, or appearing in a newspaper column < a popular columnar character >