columns

IPA/ˈkɒl.əm/
KK[kˈɑləmz]IPA/ˈkɑː.ləm/

columns — noun

  • columnssingular
  • columnsesplural

1. one of the vertical sections created when a printed page is divided from top to

1.名詞B1
釋義

one of the vertical sections created when a printed page is divided from top to bottom, each holding a separate stream of text

例句

The newspaper article was split into three narrow columns on the front page.

split into [number] columns

Padma scanned the columns of the magazine looking for the book review.

同義詞
  • section

    broader; a section can be any part of a page, not necessarily a vertical strip

  • block

    more general; does not specifically imply the vertical orientation

反義詞
  • row

    a horizontal line of text, opposite orientation

文法句型

the [adjective] column

in columns

用法筆記

Often used with ordinal adjectives (left-hand, right-hand, first, second) to indicate position on the page.

常見錯誤

❌The story runs across three rows.
✅The story runs across three columns.
💡In publishing, vertical divisions are called columns; rows run horizontally.

2. a set of articles appearing on a regular schedule, covering a consistent topic,

2.名詞B1
釋義

a set of articles appearing on a regular schedule, covering a consistent topic, and written by one reporter or commentator

例句

Dylan writes a weekly column about local politics for the city newspaper.

writes a weekly column about [subject]

Mira's advice column in the Sunday magazine answers readers' personal questions.

advice column

同義詞
  • article

    broader; any piece of writing in a publication, not necessarily regular or by the same writer

  • feature

    often a longer, more prominent article, not necessarily regular

  • piece

    informal and general

文法句型

[writer] + write + a + [adjective] + column

a + [subject] + column

用法筆記

The subject or type of column often appears before the word: advice column, opinion column, fashion column, sports column.

常見錯誤

❌She writes a column page for the newspaper.
✅She writes a column for the newspaper.
💡The column is the article itself, not a whole page.

3. a set of items placed one above the other in a single vertical line within a tab

3.名詞A2
釋義

a set of items placed one above the other in a single vertical line within a table, list, or spreadsheet

例句

Lukas entered the sales figures in the first column of the spreadsheet.

first column of the [document]

The left column of the table lists each student's name and their exam grade.

同義詞
  • list

    less specific; any sequence of items, not necessarily vertical

  • array

    technical term in computing and mathematics

反義詞
  • row

    a horizontal line of items in a table or grid

文法句型

the + [ordinal] + column

in a column

用法筆記

Common in spreadsheet and database contexts where data is organised in a grid. The opposite is a row, which runs left to right.

常見錯誤

❌Look at the row for student scores.
✅Look at the column for student scores.
💡A column runs up and down, a row runs side to side.

4. a tall upright post, usually of stone, that holds up part of a building, adorns

4.名詞B1
釋義

a tall upright post, usually of stone, that holds up part of a building, adorns a structure in the classical style, or is set up by itself to honour a person or event

例句

The ancient temple was supported by twelve tall stone columns.

supported by [number] [material] columns

Yasmin took a photo of the marble columns at the front of the city hall.

同義詞
  • pillar

    very similar; pillar can be any upright support, not necessarily cylindrical or classical in style

  • post

    simpler and more general; often made of wood or metal

  • pier

    a thicker, stronger support, usually in engineering contexts

文法句型

[material] + column

column + of + [building]

用法筆記

In classical architecture, columns often have a specific style described by the order — Doric, Ionic, or Corinthian. In everyday use, column and pillar are interchangeable.

5. an object or mass that is long, thin, and upright, roughly the same shape as an

5.名詞B2
釋義

an object or mass that is long, thin, and upright, roughly the same shape as an architectural column

例句

A thin column of smoke rose from the chimney into the evening sky.

column of smoke / column of dust / column of water

The waterfall formed a tall white column of water as it fell into the lake.

同義詞
  • shaft

    a long narrow vertical passage or body; more technical

  • plume

    used especially for smoke, steam, or dust spreading outward at the top

  • tower

    a tall structure; used metaphorically for something rising high

文法句型

column + of + [substance]

用法筆記

This sense applies to natural phenomena (smoke, water, light, dust) and is commonly used with the pattern 'column of [substance]'.

6. a group of people or vehicles moving one after another in a long line

6.名詞B1
釋義

a group of people or vehicles moving one after another in a long line

例句

A long column of army trucks moved slowly along the dusty road.

column of [vehicles]

Dewi saw a column of cyclists riding one behind the other through the park.

同義詞
  • line

    more general; any straight arrangement of people or things

  • file

    specifically one person behind another, as in single file

  • procession

    implies a ceremonial or formal moving line

反義詞
  • row

    a side-by-side arrangement, not one behind another

文法句型

column + of + [people/vehicles]

in a column

用法筆記

Frequently used in military contexts where soldiers are arranged one behind the other. Can also describe any orderly single-file procession.

常見錯誤

❌The soldiers marched in a row.
✅The soldiers marched in a column.
💡A column is a single-file line; a row is a side-by-side formation.