Editing Column (section)

{{short description|Structural element that transmits weight from above to below}}
{{About|the structural construction elements that bear and transmit vertical loads (weight)}}
{{Redirect|Pillar}}
[[File:National Capitol Columns - Washington, D.C..jpg|thumb|right|upright=1|[[National Capitol Columns]] at the [[United States National Arboretum]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]]]
[[File:Riskdagen Eduskunta Helsingfors (2).jpg|thumb|right|upright=1|Columns of the [[Parliament House, Helsinki|Parliament House]] in [[Helsinki]], [[Finland]]]]
[[File:Monument Gordon 02.JPG|thumb|right|upright=1|Column of the [[Gordon Monument]] in [[Waterloo, Belgium|Waterloo]].]]
A '''column''' or '''pillar''' in [[architecture]] and [[structural engineering]] is a structural element that transmits, through [[compression (physical)|compression]], the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. In other words, a column is a [[compression member]]. The term ''column'' applies especially to a large round support (the shaft of the column) with a [[Capital (architecture)|capital]] and a base or [[pedestal]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/column?show=0&t=1355360075 |title=Column - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary |publisher=Merriam-webster.com |date=2012-08-31 |access-date=2013-07-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004235839/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/column?show=0&t=1355360075 |archive-date=2013-10-04 }}</ref> which is made of stone, or appearing to be so. A small wooden or metal support is typically called a ''[[Post (structural)|post]]''. Supports with a rectangular or other non-round section are usually called ''[[pier (architecture)|piers]]''.

For the purpose of [[wind engineering|wind]] or [[earthquake engineering]], columns may be designed to resist lateral forces. Other compression members are often termed "columns" because of the similar stress conditions. Columns are frequently used to support [[Beam (structure)|beam]]s or [[arch]]es on which the upper parts of walls or ceilings rest. In architecture, "column" refers to such a structural element that also has certain proportional and decorative features. These beautiful columns are available in a broad selection of styles and designs in round tapered, round straight, or square shaft styles.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-19 |title=Architectural Columns by Melton Classics {{!}} Call 800-963-3060 |url=https://meltonclassics.com/products/columns/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Melton Classics Incorporated {{!}} Hand Crafted, Classically Inspired Architectural Columns, Balustrades & Details |language=en}}</ref> A column might also be a decorative element not needed for structural purposes; many columns are [[Engaged column|engaged]], that is to say form part of a wall. A long sequence of columns joined by an [[entablature]] is known as a [[colonnade]].