cornice

American  

[kawr-nis] / ˈkɔr nɪs /

noun

1. Architecture.

   1. any prominent, continuous, horizontally projecting feature surmounting a wall or other construction, or dividing it horizontally for compositional purposes.

   2. the uppermost member of a classical entablature, consisting of a bed molding, a corona, and a cymatium, with rows of dentils, modillions, etc., often placed between the bed molding and the corona.

2. any of various other ornamental horizontal moldings or bands, as for concealing hooks or rods from which curtains are hung or for supporting picture hooks.

3. a mass of snow, ice, etc., projecting over a mountain ridge.

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verb (used with object)

corniced, cornicing

1. to furnish or finish with a cornice.

cornice British  

/ ˈkɔːnɪs /

noun

1. architect

   1. the top projecting mouldings of an entablature

   2. a continuous horizontal projecting course or moulding at the top of a wall, building, etc

2. an overhanging ledge of snow formed by the wind on the edge of a mountain ridge, cliff, or corrie

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verb

1. (tr) architect to furnish or decorate with or as if with a cornice

Etymology

Origin of cornice

1555–65; < Italian: literally, crow (< Latin cornix ); for the meaning, compare Greek korṓnē crow, crown

Explanation

If your friend wants you to help repair the cornice on his house, you’d better bring a ladder. The cornice is the decorative molding that stretches horizontally along the top of some buildings. The cornice that you see on some buildings serves as a decorative element and also functions as a way to keep rainwater from dripping down the walls. The cornice juts away from the building enough that the rainwater flows away from the building. Not just for buildings, the word cornice can also describe raised decorative molding right under the ceiling in a room or a similar decorative topping that crowns some windows to hide curtain rods.

Example Sentences

When auditors came to search Freymond’s desk, the story took a farcical turn: Freymond had tried to dispose of the incriminating papers by stashing them outside his office window, on the cornice.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 18, 2025

In the most superficial way, the addition is a contextual match for the main house—it is white, and it is a similar height, with a cornice and a matching parapet.

From Slate • Aug. 5, 2025

Its poor structural condition was exposed in 2012 when bits of its elaborate cornice began falling off after an especially harsh winter which required a multi-million euro renovation the following year.

From BBC • Dec. 22, 2024

As your eyes adjust in the dark, unlit details fade in: a coat of aluminum paint on the cornice, a staircase through the curtain, a tracing of mortar among stones in the foundation.

From New York Times • Apr. 9, 2024

A gray bird flew above them, above the electric wires for the streetcar line, and perched on the metal cornice of a roof.

From "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin