obelisk

noun

obe·​lisk ˈä-bə-ˌlisk How to pronounce obelisk (audio)
also ˈō-
Synonyms of obelisknext
1
: an upright 4-sided usually monolithic pillar that gradually tapers as it rises and terminates in a pyramid
2

Illustration of obelisk

Illustration of obelisk
  • obelisk 1

Examples of obelisk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Two of Georgia's three signers of the Declaration of Independence are buried below the Signers' Monument, a 50-foot white granite obelisk in downtown Augusta. Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 30 June 2026 The line was marked then, as now, by obelisks, 276 of them today, placed roughly within view of one another from El Paso west to the Pacific Ocean ‒ an early attempt to harden the line in the sand. Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 28 June 2026 The park commemorates the battle of King’s Mountain, a significant victory in the revolutionary war, and offers a variety of outdoor activities and an obelisk monument, for those wishing to memorialize the revolutionary spirit. Eva Flowe june 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2026 Stretching some 2,000 feet (610 meters) from the steps of the memorial toward the Washington Monument at the center of the National Mall, the pool perfectly frames Lincoln’s view of the memorial to his predecessor and reflects the obelisk in its shallow waters. Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for obelisk

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin obeliscus "four-sided pillar," borrowed from Greek obelískos "skewer, four-sided pillar," diminutive of obelós "spit, four-sided pillar" — more at obelus

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of obelisk was in 1561

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Cite this Entry

“Obelisk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obelisk. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

obelisk

noun
obe·​lisk ˈäb-ə-ˌlisk How to pronounce obelisk (audio)
: a four-sided pillar that becomes narrower toward the top and ends in a pyramid

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