Illustration of entablature
- 1 entablature
- 2 cornice
- 3 frieze
- 4 architrave
entablature
noun
en·tab·la·ture
in-ˈta-blə-ˌchu̇r 
-chər,
-ˌt(y)u̇r
: a horizontal part in classical architecture that rests on the columns and consists of architrave, frieze, and cornice
Examples of entablature in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Early plans, according to Smithsonian magazine, included an entablature with a short history of the country, a staircase, a Hall of Records to include the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and the torsos of each president featured.
—
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 5 July 2025
Like the Gran Trianon, Rosecliff has Ionic columns, French doors, and a multitiered entablature topped with intricate statues.
—Claudia Williams, Architectural Digest, 6 Aug. 2024
Typically, colonnades form at the top and bottom of the flow (starting from the cooling surface) with a middle area of entablature (see above).
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2015
The parts of the flows with clear columns are called the colonnade while the areas where the columns are less-than-perfect or absent are the entablature.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2015
Columns in the Takachicho-kyo Gorge in Japan, showing the colonnade and entablature common in these columnar jointed basalt flows.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2015
The luxurious Breakfast Room’s fireplace ensemble, including Roman Doric columns supporting an exquisite entablature, is as brilliantly designed, if not as eye-catching, as the Banquet Hall’s triple fireplace.
—Catesby Leigh, WSJ, 11 Mar. 2022
Bas reliefs on the entablature feature important thinkers such as Booker T. Washington and Frederick Douglass.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2021
Those ornamental capitals on top of columns were a way to muffle the violence of a vertical pillar piercing into a horizontal beam or entablature.
—Anne Quito, Quartz, 19 Feb. 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 5 July 2025
Like the Gran Trianon, Rosecliff has Ionic columns, French doors, and a multitiered entablature topped with intricate statues.
—Claudia Williams, Architectural Digest, 6 Aug. 2024
Typically, colonnades form at the top and bottom of the flow (starting from the cooling surface) with a middle area of entablature (see above).
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2015
The parts of the flows with clear columns are called the colonnade while the areas where the columns are less-than-perfect or absent are the entablature.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2015
Columns in the Takachicho-kyo Gorge in Japan, showing the colonnade and entablature common in these columnar jointed basalt flows.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2015
The luxurious Breakfast Room’s fireplace ensemble, including Roman Doric columns supporting an exquisite entablature, is as brilliantly designed, if not as eye-catching, as the Banquet Hall’s triple fireplace.
—Catesby Leigh, WSJ, 11 Mar. 2022
Bas reliefs on the entablature feature important thinkers such as Booker T. Washington and Frederick Douglass.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2021
Those ornamental capitals on top of columns were a way to muffle the violence of a vertical pillar piercing into a horizontal beam or entablature.
—Anne Quito, Quartz, 19 Feb. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Entablature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://x0upouf933.proxynodejs.usequeue.com/dictionary/entablature. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share