Column vs. Plinth — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 7, 2024
A column is a vertical architectural support that bears weight, while a plinth is the base or platform on which a column or other structure stands.
Difference Between Column and Plinth
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A column is a vertical, cylindrical structure that supports roofs, beams, or arches, providing both structural and decorative functions. Plinths, on the other hand, form the base for these columns, statues, or other architectural elements, elevating them and providing stability.
Columns are often integral to the architectural style of a structure, coming in various designs such as Doric, Ionic, or Corinthian. Plinths generally serve a more utilitarian purpose, offering a stable platform that protects the supported structure from moisture or damage.
Columns can be made from materials like stone, wood, or steel and come in diverse forms, such as round or square. Plinths are typically constructed from durable materials like stone or concrete to support the weight above them.
Columns often contribute aesthetically to a building's design, whereas plinths are less decorative but can be styled with moldings or carvings. They are both crucial in ancient and modern architecture for their distinct roles in stability and design.
Columns sometimes stand independently as commemorative structures, while plinths generally remain unseen unless they support notable monuments or statues, where their design might be emphasized.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
Vertical structural support
Base for columns or structures
Function
Structural and aesthetic
Structural and stabilizing
Material
Stone, wood, steel
Stone, concrete, or brick
Design Variations
Doric, Ionic, Corinthian styles
Molded or plain rectangular forms
Visibility
Prominent in design
Usually hidden, sometimes ornate
Compare with Definitions
Column
A column designed for structural and aesthetic purposes.
The cathedral’s architectural columns displayed intricate carvings.
Plinth
A heavy base for a statue or column.
The statue stood proudly on its stone plinth.
Column
Related to columns.
The columnar style is evident in many ancient buildings.
Plinth
The bottommost section of a plinth.
The base plinth was raised above the flood line for protection.
Column
A column primarily for structural support.
The basement’s support columns were reinforced with steel.
Plinth
A platform supporting an architectural structure.
The architectural plinth was carved from a single block of marble.
Column
A vertical structure supporting a building.
The grand column held up the roof of the ancient temple.
Plinth
A plinth designed to complement the structure's aesthetics.
The decorative plinth featured intricate patterns.
Column
A commemorative column that stands alone.
The free-standing column was erected to honor the city's founder.
Plinth
A plinth integrated into the foundation for stability.
The foundation plinth ensured the entire column structure remained secure.
Column
A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. In other words, a column is a compression member.
Plinth
A block or slab on which a pedestal, column, or statue is placed.
Column
A vertical structure usually consisting of a base, a cylindrical shaft, and a capital, used as a support or standing alone as a monument.
Plinth
The base block at the intersection of the baseboard and the vertical trim around an opening.
Column
Any slender vertical support, as of steel or reinforced concrete.
Plinth
A continuous course of stones supporting a wall. Also called plinth course.
Column
Something resembling an architectural column in form or function
A column of mercury in a thermometer.
Plinth
A square base, as for a vase.
Column
One of two or more vertical sections of text lying side by side in a document and separated by a rule or a blank space.
Plinth
A block or slab upon which a column, pedestal, statue or other structure is based.
Column
An arrangement of numbers in a single vertical line.
Plinth
The bottom course of stones or bricks supporting a wall.
Column
A feature article that appears regularly in a publication, such as a newspaper.
Plinth
A base or pedestal beneath a cabinet.
Column
A formation, as of troops or vehicles, in which all elements follow one behind the other.
Plinth
In classical architecture, a vertically faced member immediately below the circular base of a column; also, the lowest member of a pedestal; hence, in general, the lowest member of a base; a sub-base; a block upon which the moldings of an architrave or trim are stopped at the bottom. See Illust. of Column.
Column
(Botany)A columnlike structure, especially one formed by the union of a stamen and the style in an orchid flower, or one formed by the united staminal filaments in flowers such as those of the hibiscus or mallow.
Plinth
An architectural support or base (as for a column or statue)
Column
(Anatomy)Any of various tubular or pillarlike supporting structures in the body, each generally having a single tissue origin and function
The vertebral column.
Column
(architecture) A solid upright structure designed usually to support a larger structure above it, such as a roof or horizontal beam, but sometimes for decoration.
Column
A vertical line of entries in a table, usually read from top to bottom.
Column
A body of troops or army vehicles, usually strung out along a road.
Column
A body of text meant to be read line by line, especially in printed material that has multiple adjacent such on a single page.
It was too hard to read the text across the whole page, so I split it into two columns.
Column
A unit of width, especially of advertisements, in a periodical, equivalent to the width of a usual column of text.
Each column inch costs $300 a week; this ad is four columns by three inches, so will run $3600 a week.
Column
(by extension) A recurring feature in a periodical, especially an opinion piece, especially by a single author or small rotating group of authors, or on a single theme.
His initial foray into print media was as the author of a weekly column in his elementary-school newspaper.
Column
Something having similar vertical form or structure to the things mentioned above, such as a spinal column.
Column
(botany) The gynostemium
Column
(chemistry) An object used to separate the different components of a liquid or to purify chemical compounds.
Column
A kind of pillar; a cylindrical or polygonal support for a roof, ceiling, statue, etc., somewhat ornamented, and usually composed of base, shaft, and capital. See Order.
Column
Anything resembling, in form or position, a column in architecture; an upright body or mass; a shaft or obelisk; as, a column of air, of water, of mercury, etc.; the Column Vendôme; the spinal column.
Column
A body of troops formed in ranks, one behind the other; - contradistinguished from line. Compare Ploy, and Deploy.
Column
A number of ships so arranged as to follow one another in single or double file or in squadrons; - in distinction from "line", where they are side by side.
Column
A perpendicular set of lines, not extending across the page, and separated from other matter by a rule or blank space; as, a column in a newspaper.
Column
A perpendicular line of figures.
Column
The body formed by the union of the stamens in the Mallow family, or of the stamens and pistil in the orchids.
Column
One of a series of articles written in a periodical, usually under the same title and at regular intervals; it may be written and signed by one or more authors, or may appear pseudonymously or anonymously, as an editorial column.
Column
A line of (usually military) units following one after another
Column
A vertical glass tube used in column chromatography; a mixture is poured in the top and washed through a stationary substance where components of the mixture are adsorbed selectively to form colored bands
Column
A linear array of numbers one above another
Column
Anything tall and thin approximating the shape of a column or tower;
The test tube held a column of white powder
A tower of dust rose above the horizon
A thin pillar of smoke betrayed their campsite
Column
An article giving opinions or perspectives
Column
A vertical structure standing alone and not supporting anything (as a monument or a column of air)
Column
(architeture) a tall cylindrical vertical upright and used to support a structure
Common Curiosities
What is a column?
A column is a vertical structural element that supports roofs, beams, or arches.
Do plinths have an architectural style?
Plinths often follow the architectural style of the structure they support, sometimes incorporating moldings or carvings.
Why are columns important in architecture?
Columns provide structural support while adding aesthetic value, often defining an architectural style.
How do plinths protect structures?
Plinths elevate structures to prevent moisture damage and provide stability on uneven terrain.
Are plinths necessary for all columns?
Most columns require plinths or similar bases to ensure stability and protection.
What are some famous examples of columns?
Famous examples include Trajan's Column in Rome and Nelson's Column in London.
Can plinths be made of wood?
While possible, plinths are rarely made of wood due to its vulnerability to decay.
How are columns categorized in classical architecture?
Classical columns are categorized as Doric, Ionic, or Corinthian based on design features.
What is a plinth?
A plinth is a base or platform that elevates and supports a structure like a column.
Are columns always round?
No, columns can be round, square, or polygonal, depending on the design and architectural style.
Can columns stand independently?
Yes, some columns are erected independently as commemorative monuments or symbols.
Can a column be used decoratively without structural support?
Yes, some columns are purely decorative to enhance the aesthetics of a space.
Do plinths vary in size?
Plinths vary significantly in size, depending on the dimensions of the structure they support.
Do plinths have structural requirements?
Yes, plinths must be strong enough to support the weight above and often require durable materials.
How do columns and plinths work together?
Columns rest on plinths, which provide a stable base to distribute the weight evenly.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
