What does "lintel" mean?
A horizontal structural beam spanning an opening, such as between the uprights of a door or a window, and which supports the wall above.
Lintel
/ˈlɪn.təl/ name, noun
name, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A horizontal structural beam spanning an opening, such as between the uprights of a door or a window, and which supports the wall above.
- Grammar: lintel is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: archway, back door, barway, beam.
- Useful contrasts: arch, threshold, transom.
- Usage evidence: The heavy stone lintel above the main doorway was carved with the family's crest.
How to use "lintel"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "lintel" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "lintel" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "lintel" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "lintel" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "lintel" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "archway" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "lintel", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A horizontal structural beam spanning an opening, such as between the uprights of a door or a window, and which supports the wall above.
"Athelny had told him that he lived in a house built by Inigo Jones; he had raved, as he raved over everything, over the balustrade of old oak; and when he came down to open the door for Philip he made him at once admire the elegant carving of the lintel."
- 2 horizontal beam used as a finishing piece over a door or window wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 The computing environment of the Linux operating system running on an Intel CPU; mostly in a server.
Example
"The heavy stone lintel above the main doorway was carved with the family's crest."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "lintel"?
Common synonyms include: archway, back door, barway, beam, beams, bulkhead.
How do you use "lintel" in a sentence?
The heavy stone lintel above the main doorway was carved with the family's crest.
How do you pronounce "lintel"?
Pronounced /ˈlɪn.təl/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English lyntel, from Old French lintel, from Vulgar Latin *līntellus, for *līmitellus, diminutive noun from līmes. Equivalent to limit + -el.
Etymology 2
Blend of Linux + Intel.