1. (architecture) a tall vertical cylindrical structure standing upright and used to support a structure
   "The ancient Greek temple was supported by massive Doric columns";
   - pillar
    
2. A page or text that is vertically divided
   "the newspaper devoted several columns to the subject"; "the bookkeeper used pages that were divided into columns"
    
3. A vertical array of numbers or other information
   "he added a column of numbers"
    
4. An article giving opinions or perspectives
   "The newspaper's column criticized the new city policy"; "His weekly newspaper column on local politics was widely read";
   - editorial, newspaper column
    
5. A vertical cylindrical structure standing alone and not supporting anything (such as a monument)
   "Nelson's Column stands in Trafalgar Square";
   - pillar
    
6. Anything that approximates the shape of a column or tower
   "the test tube held a column of white powder";
   - tower, pillar
    
7. Any tubular or pillar-like supporting structure in the body
   "The spinal column provides support for the upper body"
    
8. (military) a line of units following one after another
   "The column of soldiers marched steadily towards their objective"
    
9. A vertical glass tube used in column chromatography; a mixture is poured in the top and washed through a stationary substance where components of the mixture are adsorbed selectively to form coloured bands
   "The chemist carefully observed the separation of pigments in the chromatography column";
   - chromatography column

Derived forms: columns

Type of: array, article, construction, file, form, Indian file, shape, single file, skeletal structure, structure, text, textual matter, tube, tubing, upright, vertical

Part of: newspaper, paper, table, tabular array, temple

Encyclopedia: Column