obelisk

[ ob-uh-lisk ]

noun

1. a tapering, four-sided shaft of stone, usually monolithic and having a pyramidal apex.
2. something resembling such a shaft.
3. an obelus.
4. Printing. dagger ( def 2 ).

obelisk

/ ˈɒbɪlɪsk /

noun

1. a stone pillar having a square or rectangular cross section and sides that taper towards a pyramidal top, often used as a monument in ancient Egypt
2. printing another name for dagger

Derived Forms

• ˌobeˈliscal, adjective
• ˌobeˈliskoid, adjective

Other Words From

• obe·liscal adjective
• obe·liskoid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of obelisk¹

1540–50; < Latin obeliscus < Greek obelískos small spit, equivalent to obel ( ós ) spit, pointed pillar + -iskos diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of obelisk¹

C16: via Latin from Greek obeliskos a little spit, from obelos spit

Example Sentences

It’s late morning and it's still a peaceful spot at this time of day - jacaranda trees fill the square, an obelisk monument sits at its centre and on the far side is the house where Pablo Picasso was born.

From BBC

It’s been re-imagined for the Olympics, with temporary open-air arenas for 3 x 3 basketball, BMX freestyle, skateboarding and breaking set up around the park’s centerpiece, a 3,300-year-old granite Luxor Obelisk, gifted to France by Egypt in the 19th Century.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s also been home to the Luxor Obelisk for nearly 200 years.

From Seattle Times

The climb began in 1940 and the placement of an officer’s cap atop the obelisk to show they had conquered the plebe year came seven years later, according to a history of the event by James Cheevers, the former senior curator at the U.S.

From Seattle Times

It’s also been home to the Luxor Obelisk for nearly 200 years.

From Seattle Times