plinth
Americannoun
-
a slablike member beneath the base of a column or pier.
-
a square base or a lower block, as of a pedestal.
-
Also called plinth course. a projecting course of stones at the base of a wall; earth table.
-
(in joinery) a flat member at the bottom of an architrave, dado, baseboard, or the like.
noun
-
Also called: socle. the rectangular slab or block that forms the lowest part of the base of a column, statue, pedestal, or pier
-
Also called: plinth course. the lowest part of the wall of a building that appears above ground level, esp one that is formed of a course of stone or brick
-
a flat block on either side of a doorframe, where the architrave meets the skirting
-
a flat base on which a structure or piece of equipment is placed
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of plinth
1555–65; earlier plinthus < Latin < Greek plínthos plinth, squared stone, brick, tile
Explanation
If a building has columns, you can call the platform or base on which a column rests a plinth. The plinth typically lies between the column and the ground. In architecture, a plinth is one of the basic building elements. While it's most common for a plinth to support a pillar or column, it can also be used as a base or slab underneath a statue, a bust, or a decorative vase, and in engineering a plinth is the support for a dam. The word comes from the Greek root plinthos, "brick" or "squared stone."
Vocabulary lists containing plinth
Lord of the Flies
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Built To Last: Architectural Parlance
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Namesake
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Worcester Plinth is displaying a sculpture by Sarah Dukes titled 'The Gulls' which can currently be seen at the play park on Lansdowne Road.
From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026
Hundreds of plaster casts of transgender and non-binary people have been unveiled as the latest installation on the Trafalgar Square Fourth Plinth in central London.
From BBC • Sep. 18, 2024
Plinth reconstruction was 64% done in late January, three months behind schedule, but the line should still open sometime in 2025, agency executives reported last week.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 15, 2024
Later in the spring, the site of the High Line Plinth will be connected by a new elevated pathway to Moynihan Train Hall, improving pedestrian access.
From New York Times • Nov. 30, 2022
At length, Mrs. Plinth, after visibly labouring with the problem, said in a heavy tone: "Osric Dane was taken in too."
From Xingu 1916 by Wharton, Edith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
