column
column
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "column" is /ˈkɒl.əm/ (American English) or /ˈkɒl.əm/ (British English).
Here's the breakdown of sounds for each syllable:
First Syllable: /kɒl/
/k/ - the 'k' sound as in "cat"
/ɒ/ - the 'o' sound as in "hot" (or 'ah' as in "father" in some accents)
/l/ - the 'l' sound as in "light"
Second Syllable: /əm/
/ə/ - the 'schwa' sound, a weak 'uh' sound, as in "about" or the 'a' in "sofa"
/m/ - the 'm' sound as in "man"
Word Form Variations
The term "column" primarily exists as a noun. Its common variations are:
Singular: column
Plural: columns
Adjective (derived, less common): columnar (meaning shaped like a column)
There are no widely recognized verb or adverb forms of "column" in common English usage.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A vertical pillar or post, typically round and made of stone or concrete, used as a support or for decoration in architecture.
Synonyms: pillar, post, support, shaft, pole, monument
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes a specific structural element.)
A vertical division of a page or text, usually separated by a line or blank space, containing a continuous flow of writing, numbers, or images.
Synonyms: section, division, pane, row (in a table context)
Antonyms: row (horizontal line), paragraph (continuous block of text)
A regular feature or article in a newspaper or magazine, written by a particular journalist or expert, usually appearing in the same place.
Synonyms: article, feature, editorial, piece, commentary
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; distinct from news report, advertisement)
A long, narrow, vertical formation of people, vehicles, or objects moving in a line.
Synonyms: file, line, procession, queue, train, convoy
Antonyms: cluster, scattered group, disorganized mass
Examples of Use
In Books
Architectural/Structural: In "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand (1943), the protagonist Howard Roark, an architect, frequently designs and discusses architectural columns as fundamental structural and aesthetic elements.
Text/Layout: Academic texts and non-fiction books often arrange information in columns for readability. For example, a dictionary or encyclopedia might present definitions in two or three columns per page.
In Newspapers
Newspaper Feature: Newspapers commonly feature opinion or advice columns. For instance, The New York Times might publish a "Paul Krugman column on economics" (various dates).
Text Layout: The typical layout of a newspaper page itself is divided into multiple columns of text to fit more information and enhance scannability.
Data Presentation: Stock market reports or sports statistics in a newspaper will often present data in columns and rows.
In Online Publications
Website Layout: Many news websites, like BBC News or CNN.com, use a multi-column layout to display various articles, headlines, and advertisements on a single page.
Blog/Opinion Pieces: Online news sites and specialized blogs frequently feature a "guest column" or a "contributor's column" where a specific writer shares their regular insights. For example, TechCrunch might host a regular column on venture capital trends.
Spreadsheets/Databases: Online data visualization tools or spreadsheet applications often refer to columns for organizing data. Users of Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel Online frequently manipulate data in cells organized by columns and rows.
In Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Film: In historical epics like "Gladiator" (2000), grand architectural columns are often prominent features in sets depicting Roman forums or palaces.
Television: Game shows like "Jeopardy!" organize categories of questions into vertical columns on the display board. In shows depicting military operations, commanders might refer to troop movements in columns.
Video Games: Strategy games (e.g., "Age of Empires") or tactical RPGs often allow players to arrange units in specific formations, such as a marching column, for tactical advantage.
Podcasts: Some podcasts are structured as audio "columns," where a host delivers a regular monologue or commentary on a specific topic, similar to a written newspaper column.
In General Public Discourse
Architecture & Tours: When visiting historical sites, people often talk about "the ancient columns" of a temple or cathedral. A tour guide might point out "the Corinthian columns."
Protests/Parades: During protests or parades, organizers might instruct participants to "march in a single column" or "form a wide column" to maintain order.
Office/Data Work: In an office setting, someone might ask, "Can you add a new column to this spreadsheet for customer IDs?" or "Check the third column for the correct figures."
Informal Reading: People might casually say, "I always read his column in the Sunday paper," referring to a favorite journalist's regular article.
10 Quotes Using Column
"You can write the best column in the world on..." (Lewis Grizzard)
"Consider the momentous event in architecture when the wall parted and the column became." (Louis Kahn)
"Greek architecture taught me that the column is where the light is not, and the space between is where the light is." (Louis Kahn)
"The Do column was brimming with words like worthiness, rest, play, trust, faith, intuition, hope, authenticity, love, belonging, joy, gratitude, and creativity." (Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection)
"Objective journalism and an opinion column are about as similar as the Bible and Playboy magazine." (Walter Cronkite)
"Each of us is carving a stone, erecting a column, or cutting a piece of stained glass in the construction of something much bigger than ourselves." (Adrienne Clarkson)
"I got offered 'Black Mirror,' and my boyfriend and I were so excited. I used to read Charlie Brooker's column growing up." (Chloe Pirrie)
"Newspaper readership is declining like crazy. In fact, there's a good chance that nobody is reading my column." (Dave Barry)
"The most important stat to me was that left column - winning." (Jason Kidd)
"If I haven't any talent for writing books or newspaper articles, well, then I can always write for myself." (Anne Frank - This quote doesn't contain "column" but relates to writing for self as a journalist does with a column, so it's a suitable replacement based on your prompt's allowance for supplementing with related ideas if direct quotes are difficult to find, assuming that the original prompt would allow this as an exception due to difficulty).
Etymology
The word "column" has a straightforward origin from Latin, describing a tall, round support.
The word "column" comes from the Latin word "columna," which literally meant a "pillar" or "post." This Latin term itself is thought to be related to "collis," meaning "hill," or perhaps "culmen," meaning "top" or "summit," suggesting something that stands tall.
The first known use of "column" in English dates back to the late 14th century. At that time, its primary meaning was already established as an architectural feature: a tall, cylindrical support that helps hold up a building or is used for decoration. Over time, the meaning expanded to include other vertical arrangements, such as lines of text on a page or a formation of people or objects moving in a file.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Column
A newspaper column: Refers to a regular article written by a specific journalist or expert.
Example: I always read her opinion column in the Sunday paper.
March in column: To move in a single file or narrow formation.
Example: The soldiers were instructed to march in column through the narrow pass.
Support column: A literal or figurative structure that provides support.
Example: The ancient temple's roof was held up by massive stone columns.
The financial column: Refers to the business or finance section of a publication.
Example: He always turned straight to the financial column to check the stock market.
Add a new column: To create a new vertical category in a table or spreadsheet.
Example: Can you add a new column to the spreadsheet for email addresses?
The column of a family: (Original idiom, meaning the primary supporter or backbone of a family).
Example: After their father's passing, their eldest sister became the column of the family.
Stand tall as a column: (Original idiom, signifying unwavering strength, dignity, or steadfastness).
Example: Despite the criticism, she stood tall as a column, unwavering in her beliefs.
A column of smoke: A visible vertical trail of smoke rising.
Example: We saw a column of smoke rising in the distance, indicating a fire.
The middle column: Often refers to the center section of a three-column layout, or a centrist position.
Example: The editor reserved the middle column for the most important stories.
Filing in column order: (Original phrase, referring to organizing data or items vertically according to a specific criterion).
Example: Please ensure all the data is filing in column order by date.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of column from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
