obelisk

[US]/'ɒb(ə)lɪsk/
[UK]/'ɑbə'lɪsk/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

n. a tall, four-sided, narrow tapering monument which ends in a pyramid-like shape; a type of punctuation mark used to indicate a question

Example Sentences

one passes under pyramids and obelisks, all on a heroic scale.

The Middle Kingdom (12th dynasty) added obelisks and pylons, and the New Kingdom (18th dynasty) hypostyle halls.

The ancient obelisk stood tall in the city square.

The obelisk was covered in hieroglyphics.

Tourists gathered around the obelisk to take photos.

The obelisk was a symbol of power and authority.

The obelisk was brought to the museum for preservation.

The obelisk was believed to have mystical powers.

The obelisk was erected to honor a great leader.

The obelisk cast a long shadow in the afternoon sun.

The obelisk was made of solid granite.

The obelisk was a popular landmark in the city.

Real-world Examples

'Ultimately it's probably no bad thing to have Egyptian obelisks and stones and statues sprinkled all over the world.

Source: BBC documentary "A Hundred Treasures Talk About the Changes of Time"

These are called 'obelisks', a Greek word meaning something like 'little spear'.

Source: A Brief History of the World

At Pengbuxi, the towers stood like obelisks dropped from a ceramic blue sky.

Source: Selected English short passages

There, she erected twin 100-ft tall obelisks which, at the time, were the tallest in the world.

Source: Women Who Changed the World

In some of our own cities you can still see obelisks that people brought back from Egypt.

Source: A Brief History of the World

In a subtle nod, Dr Wonkam has a miniature of the obelisk on a shelf in his office.

Source: The Economist (Summary)

This grand entry was marked with a pair of soaring obelisks.

Source: Uncle Rich takes you on a trip to Europe.

An obelisk in the town of Victory celebrates two of the biggest.

Source: Aerial America

The fountain lay before her, the lakes, the temple, and far away on the last spur, a glittering obelisk.

Source: Brideshead Revisited

We evolved to standing on top of an obelisk, standing on top of a mountainside, standing on top of boxes.

Source: TED Talks (Video Edition) October 2018 Collection

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