Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
king post

king post

8.8
A vertical post in the middle of a triangular roof frame that supports the beam
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : poste rey
  • During the construction, the architect emphasized the importance of placing the king post accurately at the center of the truss.

Examples

  • A well-placed king post can enhance the strength of a truss.

  • Carpenters installed a king post at the center of the truss to support the crossbeam.

  • A damaged king post can compromise the integrity of the entire structure.

  • The roof was reinforced with a sturdy king post to improve its stability.

  • The king post is essential for the stability of the roof.

  • In the triangular truss design, the king post plays a crucial role by connecting the crossbeam to the apex.

  • The structural integrity of the roof relies on the strength of the king post that supports the entire truss framework.

Synonyms

kingpost
vsking post
  • Specialized
9.3

A central vertical post that supports a roof or bridge

is the same meaning but written as two separate words

How Strong

king post
  • Specialized
8.8
pillar
52 2.6
lally
  • Specialized
9.9
support column
  • Specialized
1 3.9
post
99 1.0

Surface Forms

king post singular
king posts plural

Morphology

king + post

The compound is partly compositional: 'post' clearly denotes an upright support and 'king' can be interpreted as 'principal' or 'central', so a learner could infer it refers to a main/central post. However, the specific architectural sense (central member in a triangular truss connecting crossbeam to apex) is technical and not fully predictable from the words alone, so a B1 learner without domain exposure may not grasp the full meaning.

Etymology

The term king post names the central vertical timber in a triangular roof truss. Imagine a king standing tall in the middle and a post holding things up, so the king post is the main piece that 'supports' the crossbeam and keeps the roof strong.