Meaning & use
pediment
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Meanings
nouncountabletechnical
In classical architecture, the triangular part above a door, window, or row of columns, often decorated with sculptures.
Grammar: Countable: a pediment, two pediments. Often used with 'the' when referring to a specific building.
Patterns
- the pediment of a building
- a triangular pediment
- above the pediment
The museum's entrance is topped by a large stone pediment.
Tourists often photograph the pediment of the old courthouse.
The architect added a pediment to give the bank a classical look.
nouncountable
A similar triangular or curved decorative feature above a door or window in other styles of building.
Grammar: Countable; used more generally for any such feature, not only in classical buildings.
Patterns
- a curved pediment
- a decorative pediment
The Victorian house has a wooden pediment over the front door.
A small pediment above the window hides the curtain rod.
Word forms
| plural | pediments |
|---|
Common combinations
- triangular pediment
- The triangular pediment is a hallmark of Greek temples.
- stone pediment
- Rain had worn away the stone pediment over the entrance.
- decorated pediment
- The decorated pediment shows scenes from ancient myths.
- pediment above the door
- They restored the pediment above the door.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- pedimental adjective
- Relating to or resembling a pediment.
Commonly confused: pediment or pediment vs. pavement?
pediment vs pediment vs. pavement
Pavement is the hard surface you walk on; a pediment is the triangular part above a building's entrance.
Practice
The triangular stone feature above the columns of the ancient temple is called a ______.
Choose one answer.
A pediment is the triangular section above columns or an entrance in classical architecture. A pavement is a walking surface, a column is a vertical support, and an arch is curved.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “pediment”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.