column crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're tackling a crossword and the clue is "column," you've come to the right place. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of possible answers, sorted by their letter count, along with clear explanations to help you complete your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "column crossword clue" by Letter Count
3 Letters
ROW: While typically horizontal, a "column" can sometimes refer to a vertical sequence, especially in data or a grid where items are arranged in rows and columns.
4 Letters
POST: An upright piece of timber or metal, used as a support or marker. It can also refer to a regularly published article or blog entry, akin to a column.
OPED: Short for "opposite the editorial page," this is a common term for an opinion column in a newspaper, often used in crosswords.
5 Letters
SHAFT: In architecture, this is the main body of a column, situated between its capital (top) and its base.
6 Letters
PILLAR: A strong, vertical supporting structure, typically cylindrical or rectangular in cross-section, often found in architecture.
7 Letters
ARTICLE: A piece of writing on a particular subject in a newspaper or magazine, often referring to a regular feature or column.
More About "column crossword clue"
The clue "column" is a fascinating example of how crosswords utilize polysemy – words with multiple meanings – to create engaging and sometimes tricky puzzles. Depending on the context, "column" can refer to a sturdy architectural support, a regular feature in a newspaper or magazine, or even a vertical arrangement of data or objects. This broadness means solvers must carefully consider the puzzle's theme, other clues, and especially crossing letters to pinpoint the correct answer.
Architecturally, a column is a distinct vertical element, often decorated, that supports a structure. In the world of publishing, a "column" is a recurring section written by a specific author or on a particular topic, providing opinions, news, or advice. When you encounter "column" in a puzzle, think about whether the setter is hinting at its physical form, its role in journalism, or even its mathematical or structural sense within a grid.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider the Context: Is the clue appearing in a puzzle with an architectural theme, a media theme, or perhaps a data-related theme? The surrounding clues can often provide hints to the intended meaning of "column."
- Check Crossing Letters: This is often the most critical strategy. Even if you're unsure which meaning of "column" is intended, filling in letters from intersecting "across" or "down" clues will quickly narrow down the possibilities.
- Think About Length: As demonstrated above, answers for "column" can vary significantly in length. If you have a two-letter or ten-letter space, certain meanings are immediately ruled out or highlighted.
- Look for Specific Modifiers: Sometimes, a setter will add a word to narrow down the meaning, such as "newspaper column" or "Doric column," making your task much easier.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a "column" and a "row" in crosswords?
In a crossword grid, a "column" refers to a vertical sequence of squares, while a "row" refers to a horizontal sequence. Clues often specify 'across' or 'down' to indicate if the answer fills a row or a column respectively. However, the clue 'column' itself usually refers to the word's meaning, not its position in the grid.
How can the clue "column" have so many different answers?
The word "column" has multiple distinct meanings, making it a versatile crossword clue. It can refer to an architectural support (pillar, post, shaft), a section of a publication (article, op-ed, feature), or a vertical series in a list or grid (row, file). Crossword setters leverage these various interpretations to create challenging clues.
Are there any common abbreviations for "column" in crosswords?
While "column" itself isn't frequently abbreviated within answers, its related meanings often are. For example, 'OPED' is a common four-letter answer for clues like 'opinion column' or similar. Always be on the lookout for context clues that might suggest an abbreviation.