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
a
: obelus
b
: dagger sense 2b

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.
Across town, a stone obelisk—similar to Washington’s but, again, taller—was constructed with 25,550 blocks of white granite, one for each day of Kim’s seven decades of life. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026 Argentina’s fans danced and sang in their seats long after the match ended, in Atlanta; in Buenos Aires, thousands converged in celebration by the capital’s iconic obelisk. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 16 July 2026 Provide vines with a sturdy trellis, obelisk, or arbor to climb. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 July 2026 The Washington Monument's architect, Robert Mills, was picked to design the obelisk on the National Mall after his sketches won an open design competition in 1814. — Chiara Eisner, NPR, 8 July 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

Rhymes for obelisk

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Browse Nearby Words

obeliscoid
obelisk
obelism
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Cite this Entry

“Obelisk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obelisk. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on obelisk

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