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

Many of these obelisks only loosely resembled each other, so there are likely different types of obelisks. —Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025

The arena floor in both films included eight obelisks, with Max borrowing the look from a 19th century painting by French artist Jean-Léon Gérôme. —Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Jan. 2025

More than just a funky obelisk in Barossa Valley, the twisted, roller coaster-like 12-story hotel will feature 71 rooms surrounded by century-old bush vines. —Paula Conway, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Across town, Bloomberg built itself a deluxe glass obelisk. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 4 Dec. 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