Meaning & use
horizontal support
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountabletechnical
A structural element that holds something up or keeps it steady in a side-to-side direction.
Grammar: Countable; use 'a' or plural 'supports': The bridge needs a horizontal support.
Patterns
- a horizontal support for something
- horizontal supports on something
The shelf was held up by a horizontal support fixed to the wall.
Engineers added horizontal supports to stop the walls from moving sideways.
Word forms
| plural | horizontal supports |
|---|
Common combinations
- horizontal support beam
- A horizontal support beam runs across the ceiling.
- provide horizontal support
- The frame provides horizontal support during an earthquake.
- add horizontal supports
- Workers added horizontal supports to the scaffolding.
Synonyms and how they differ
- brace
- A brace is often a diagonal piece that stiffens a structure, while a horizontal support is specifically level.
- beam
- A beam is a horizontal support that carries a load, especially in a building.
Opposites
Practice
The engineer designed a ___ to keep the wall from moving sideways.
Choose one answer.
'A horizontal support' is the correct singular countable noun after 'a'. 'Horizontal supports' is plural and would need no 'a'; 'horizontal supporting' is not a noun; 'horizontally support' is a verb phrase and does not fit after 'a'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “horizontal support”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.