caryatid

noun

cary·​at·​id ˌker-ē-ˈa-təd How to pronounce caryatid (audio)
ˌka-rē-;
ˈker-ē-ə-ˌtid How to pronounce caryatid (audio)
ˈka-rē-
plural caryatids or caryatides ˌker-ē-ˈa-tə-ˌdēz How to pronounce caryatid (audio)
ˌka-rē-
Synonyms of caryatidnext
: a draped female figure supporting an entablature

Illustration of caryatid

Illustration of caryatid

Examples of caryatid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Best of all are the caryatids of the St. Pancras New Church, four toga-wearing terra-cotta ladies who bear part of the roof, austerely holding the gaze of passengers on the top level of the No. 30 bus. — Francesca Carington, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025 In a quiet section of Paris, in the 13th Arrondissement, a large building with recessed columns, Romanesque windows, and caryatids preserves an ancient art. — Peter Saenger, airmail.news, 28 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin caryatides, plural, from Greek karyatides priestesses of Artemis at Caryae, caryatids, from Karyai Caryae in Laconia

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of caryatid was in 1563

Rhymes for caryatid

See All Rhymes for caryatid

Browse Nearby Words

caryatid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Caryatid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caryatid. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

caryatid

noun
cary·​at·​id ˌkar-ē-ˈat-əd How to pronounce caryatid (audio)
plural caryatids or caryatides
-ˈat-ə-ˌdēz
: a sculptured figure of a woman in flowing robes used as a column in architecture

More from Merriam-Webster on caryatid

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for caryatid

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about caryatid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All