عمود
ʕamūd/ʕa.muːd/
The English word "pillar" is translated into Arabic as عمود (ʕamūd).
A عمود refers to a large post or a supporting structure in architecture. Metaphorically, the term is used in the phrase عمود فقري to mean the "backbone" or "mainstay" of something.
Meaning: large post, often used as supporting architecture (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of عمود is أعمدة. When the word is used as an object or following certain particles, it takes the accusative ending -an, becoming عموداً.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ʕa.muːd/ (ʕamūd). It has two syllables.
Did you know?
- In a religious context, the 'pillars' of Islam are called أركان, not أعمدة, though both words mean support structures.
- In Arabic poetry, عمود الشعر refers to the 'pillar of poetry', which represents the set of rules and standards that define classical Arabic verse.
- While عمود means pillar, the word for a tent pole in classical Arabic is often the same, as the tent pole is the only 'pillar' in a nomadic dwelling.
Examples in context
- كان سامي عمودا في مجتمعه.Sami was a pillar in the community.This sentence uses عمود to describe someone being a pillar in their community.Tatoeba #6981259 by OsoHombre, translation #6040517 by OsoHombre
- كان سامي بمثابة عمود لأهل الحي.Sami was a pillar of the community.This sentence uses عمود to describe someone acting as a pillar for the people of a neighborhood.Tatoeba #6981266 by OsoHombre, translation #6566993 by OsoHombre
- سرعان ما أصبحت ليلى عمودا للمجتمع.Layla quickly became a pillar of her community.This sentence uses عمود to describe someone becoming a pillar of the community.Tatoeba #6981286 by OsoHombre, translation #6044179 by OsoHombre
- المَسْجِدُ الكَبِيرُ يَحْتَوِي عَلَى عَدَدٍ كَبِيرٍ مِنَ الْعَوَامِيْدِThe grand mosque contains a large number of pillars.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man and a woman are standing in an old building.
- ليلى Laylaهل ترى ذلك العمود الرخامي؟Hal tara dhalika al-'amud al-rukhami?Do you see that marble pillar?
- زياد Ziadنعم، إنه عمود ضخم جداً.Na'am, innahu 'amud dhakhm jiddan.Yes, it is a very huge pillar.
- ليلى Laylaيبدو أن هذا العمود قوي.Yabdu anna hadha al-'amud qawi.It looks like this pillar is strong.
- زياد Ziadصحيح، هو عمود أساسي في السقف.Sahih, huwa 'amud asasi fi al-saqf.Correct, it is a fundamental pillar for the ceiling.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pillar” translations and entries عمود, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
