caryatid

noun

cary·​at·​id ˌker-ē-ˈa-təd How to pronounce caryatid (audio)
ˌka-rē-;
ˈker-ē-ə-ˌtid How to pronounce caryatid (audio)
ˈka-rē-
plural caryatids or caryatides ˌker-ē-ˈa-tə-ˌdēz How to pronounce caryatid (audio)
ˌka-rē-
Synonyms of caryatidnext
: a draped female figure supporting an entablature

Illustration of caryatid

Illustration of caryatid

Examples of caryatid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The site includes a central area with a cross vault and large caryatids with baskets, a large niche with a rocky backdrop and fountain, and three arms. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2025 Bedrock's redevelopment restored the building's unique exterior detailing, which includes a dozen half-naked female stone figures known as caryatids. — Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 31 Mar. 2026 Rooms come with Botanist & The Chemist toiletries, miniature fluffy robes, a signature purple starfish soft toy, and copious sweet treats, from white chocolate caryatids to cones of M&M’s. — Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026 At its entrance, monumental basalt sculptures lean precariously against 14th-century walls, reversing the traditional role of the caryatid and quietly speaking to visitors. — Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for caryatid

Word History

Etymology

Latin caryatides, plural, from Greek karyatides priestesses of Artemis at Caryae, caryatids, from Karyai Caryae in Laconia

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of caryatid was in 1563

Rhymes for caryatid

See All Rhymes for caryatid

Browse Nearby Words

caryatic
caryatid
caryatidal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Caryatid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caryatid. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

caryatid

noun
cary·​at·​id ˌkar-ē-ˈat-əd How to pronounce caryatid (audio)
plural caryatids or caryatides
-ˈat-ə-ˌdēz
: a sculptured figure of a woman in flowing robes used as a column in architecture

More from Merriam-Webster on caryatid

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for caryatid

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about caryatid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All