corbel

1 of 2

noun

cor·​bel ˈkȯr-bəl How to pronounce corbel (audio)
: an architectural member that projects from within a wall and supports a weight
especially : one that is stepped upward and outward from a vertical surface

Illustration of corbel

Illustration of corbel

corbel

2 of 2

verb

corbeled or corbelled; corbeling or corbelling

transitive verb

: to furnish with or make into a corbel

Examples of corbel 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.
Noun
Watching them from above are six corbels bearing the faces of some past presidents of the university. — Eric Seals, Freep.com, 24 May 2025 Think layers of molding on the mantel, picture molding on the chimney, decorative tile, maybe even some corbels. — Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025 Their skills shine in the foyer especially, where the floors, walls, coffered ceiling, decorative corbels, and balusters gleam with a gloss finish. — Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026 In the lower level lounge, there’s a calacatta stone bar on a base made from wood and corbels from a Spanish church; the ceiling above the bar is made of vintage tin panels from France. — Nancy Keates, WSJ, 1 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for corbel

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, "raven, architectural corbel," borrowed from Middle French (Anglo-French, "crow, raven"), going back to Old French, from corp "raven" (going back to Latin corvus) + -el, diminutive suffix (going back to Latin -ellus) — more at cornice entry 1

Note: Old French corp, corb for expected *corf (cf. cerf "deer," from Latin cervus) is difficult to explain; it has been speculated that the form was imported by Roman settlers from Etruria or another part of Italy where Latin -rv- regularly yields -rb- (cf. Tuscan corbo "raven" beside corvo; see Pierre Fouché, Phonétique historique du français, vol. 3, Paris, 1966, p. 798).

Verb

derivative of corbel entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of corbel was in the 15th century

Rhymes for corbel

See All Rhymes for corbel

Browse Nearby Words

corbeil
corbel
corbel arch
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on corbel

Nglish: Translation of corbel for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about corbel

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