obelisk

noun

obe·​lisk ˈä-bə-ˌlisk 

 also  ˈō-

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

• obelisk 1

Examples of obelisk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Later, two men positioned themselves on either side of the obelisk and unfurled a Buffalo Bills banner. —Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 24 Oct. 2024

Notably, the opening desert scenes featuring Will Sampson and the Hopi obelisk were filmed at Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Arizona. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 5 Oct. 2024

Advertisement The thieves made off with 19 bracelets, seven pairs of earrings, four necklaces, a pair of obelisks, eight rings, and 20 watches, according to federal prosecutors. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024

The Egyptians began covering columns, gates and obelisks with gold at the beginning of the pharaonic period (around 3000 B.C.E.), and historians know from ancient texts that some buildings were also gilded, according to the statement. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Sep. 2024

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

Kids Definition

obelisk

noun

obe·​lisk ˈäb-ə-ˌlisk 

: a four-sided pillar that becomes narrower toward the top and ends in a pyramid