columnist

noun

col·​um·​nist ˈkä-ləm-nist How to pronounce columnist (audio)
-lə-mist
also ˈkäl-yəm-nist, 
-yə-mist
Synonyms of columnistnext
: one who writes a newspaper or magazine column
columnistic
ˌkä-ləm-ˈni-stik How to pronounce columnist (audio)
also ˌkäl-yəm-
adjective

Examples of columnist 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.
Many different wide receivers got looks for the Chiefs on Sunday, and as Star columnist Sam McDowell writes, the contrast between Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert’s performance at quarterback is something worth analyzing. — Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026 One of Bilton and Weiss’s signature new on-air hires is the conservative writer Ross Douthat, formerly an opinion columnist for the Times. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026 In 2001, the brilliant columnist Robert Lipsyte wrote a seminal column for The New York Times on the ugly status of college sports in American higher education. — Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Columnist Bill Plaschke wrote how a team with seemingly every advantage fell short, beat writer Maddie Lee documented what led to the demise, while columnist Bill Shaikin provided updates to several questions on the team’s future. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for columnist

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of columnist was in 1917

Phrases Containing columnist

Browse Nearby Words

column inch
columnist
column of Lissauer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Columnist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/columnist. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

columnist

noun
col·​um·​nist ˈkäl-əm-(n)əst How to pronounce columnist (audio)
: a person who writes a newspaper or magazine column

More from Merriam-Webster on columnist

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