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column

column

41 2.5
A line of people or vehicles one behind another
  • noun
  • /ˈkɑːləm/
translation icon : columna
  • Anyone who'd like to leave this column, step forward.
  • rear column
  • an advance column

Could you imagine them running a column of tanks down a highway in Texas?

Examples

  • But Colonel Faribault rode up to the head of the column and shouted, "Forward!"

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Big enemy armored column movin' in.

  • You four at the end of the column, follow me.

  • Form a column on the left!

  • We're almost at the bottom of the hill when the whole column stops.

  • We had reports of a column of mumakil moving west, near our southern border.

  • As we arrive, the tail end of a column of men is ascending the stairs.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • About dusk, the head of our column came suddenly on some wagons.

  • They made us get into threes and form a column and walk forward down the road.

  • As we marched forward, we formed a column behind our leader, keeping pace with one another.

Synonyms

line
vscolumn
1.0

A row of people or things standing one behind another

refers only to units placed one behind another rather than any row layout
file
vscolumn
60 2.8

A line of people or things arranged one behind another

also covers vehicles and other units beyond people
single file
vscolumn
19 2.8

A line of people or things where one is behind another

allows a line of units one behind another without stressing exact spacing
Indian file
vscolumn
  • UK
7.6

A single line of people or things one behind another

is a general term for that same one behind another arrangement

Compounds

spinal column
  • Specialized
10 3.2

A row of bones from the head to the lower back that protect the cord of nerves inside

newspaper column
  • Literature
5 2.8

An article in a newspaper that a writer writes regularly to share opinions

column inch
  • Jargon
2 6.2

A measure of ad or text space in a newspaper one column wide and one inch deep

2 9.8

A group of people inside a country or organization who secretly help an enemy

vertebral column
  • Specialized
1 4.3

A row of bones running down the middle of the back that protects the spinal cord

support column
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A vertical post that holds heavy weight in a building or bridge

chromatography column
  • Specialized
7.3

A tall glass tube that separates mixtures by passing them through a material that holds some parts

column chromatography
  • Specialized
7.7

A laboratory method that separates a mixture as it moves through a tube filled with solid material

agony column
  • Literature
7.7

A newspaper or magazine section where readers ask about personal problems and get advice

lally column
  • Specialized
9.3

A metal tube filled with concrete that supports the weight of a building

How Long

parade
427 2.2
convoy
125 4.1
column
41 2.5
line
1.0
single file
19 2.8

Surface Forms

column singular
columns plural

Etymology

Column comes from the Latin word columna, meaning 'pillar', and you can picture people or vehicles lined up like a row of pillars one behind another. That's why a column can mean a long line of people or vehicles.