Engineering English
Column
Civil Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: A vertical structural member that carries compressive loads from beams, slabs, or roofs and transmits them down to the foundation.
Example in context
“Each concrete column in the parking structure carries the accumulated loads from all the floors above it down to the foundation.”
“Otopark yapısındaki her beton kolon, üzerindeki tüm katlardan gelen birikmiş yükleri temele kadar taşır.”
Where engineers use it
Columns are central to framing layouts, capacity checks, and site inspections; engineers verify their axial strength, slenderness, and reinforcement so gravity and lateral loads reach the foundation without failure.
Synonyms: pillar
Practice: can you use “Column” at work?
A junior engineer proposes removing one column from an open-plan office layout; describe what checks you would perform and how the surrounding structure would be affected.
Show a model answer
“This column supports the beams and carries their loads to the foundation.”
“Column” in 21 languages
| English | Column |
|---|---|
| Turkish | Kolon |
| French | Poteau |
| German | Stütze |
| Spanish | Columna |
| Chinese | 柱 |
| Arabic | عمود |
| Portuguese | Pilar |
| Russian | Колонна |
| Japanese | 柱 |
| Italian | Pilastro |
| Vietnamese | Cột |
| Hindi | स्तंभ |
| Thai | เสา |
| Indonesian | Kolom |
| Korean | 기둥 |
| Bengali | কলাম |
| Dutch | Kolom |
| Swedish | Pelare |
| Finnish | Pilari |
| Ukrainian | Колона |
Frequently asked questions
What does Column mean in engineering?
A vertical structural member that carries compressive loads from beams, slabs, or roofs and transmits them down to the foundation. In Civil Engineering, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Column?
Column is pronounced /ˈkɒləm/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Column used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “Each concrete column in the parking structure carries the accumulated loads from all the floors above it down to the foundation.”
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