pergola

American  

[pur-guh-luh] / ˈpɜr gə lə /

noun

1. an arbor formed of horizontal trelliswork supported on columns or posts, over which vines or other plants are trained.

2. a colonnade having the form of such an arbor.

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pergola British  

/ ˈpɜːɡələ /

noun

1. a horizontal trellis or framework, supported on posts, that carries climbing plants and may form a covered walk

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Etymology

Origin of pergola

1645–55; < Italian < Latin pergula projecting roof, arbor

Explanation

A pergola is a wooden structure in a garden that's made for climbing plants. For example, you might have an ivy-covered pergola in your yard. Other words for pergola are trellis or arbor. When gardeners plant climbing roses or ivy or other plants that like to wind upward around supports as they grow, they often use a pergola. The frame holds the vines and also provides a decorative arch that looks pretty in a garden or yard. The word pergola is Italian, from the Latin pergula, "projecting roof," which is most likely rooted in pergere, "to come forward."

Example Sentences

My house is pretty needy—nagging about weeds, hinting it wants a pergola.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 8, 2025

A firepit and a shady pergola create more places for the family and their guests to congregate outdoors when the weather’s right.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2024

A cafe and pergola will go in at street level along Olive Street across from the Biltmore Hotel.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2024

At the southern main entrance, visitors will be greeted by a large pond with seating and a pergola.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2023

Robbie was wanting to persuade her to erect a pergola and train along it a slow-growing wisteria whose flower and scent he liked.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan