Trilithon

//ˈtɹaɪ.lɪ.θɔn// noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A structure consisting of two stone pillars supporting a horizontal stone.

    "[…]thus the two opposite trilithons which are nearest to the north-west or grand entrance, were 19 feet in height, the two next opposite trilithons correspond in the height of 20 feet 3 inches, and the trilithon at the back of the stone of astronomic observation, or as erringly called the Altar-stone, raised its ascent to the astonishing height of 25 feet."

Example

More examples

"[…]thus the two opposite trilithons which are nearest to the north-west or grand entrance, were 19 feet in height, the two next opposite trilithons correspond in the height of 20 feet 3 inches, and the trilithon at the back of the stone of astronomic observation, or as erringly called the Altar-stone, raised its ascent to the astonishing height of 25 feet."

Etymology

From Ancient Greek τρίλιθος (trílithos, “of three stones”). Compare the Baalbek trilithon.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.