WordValepediment
a triangular crown over a classical entrance or window
In more detail
1. (noun) a triangular section of wall at the top of a building, between the roof and the edges of the sloping roof
2. (noun) in geology, a gently sloping area of land at the base of a mountain
Examples
- 1. The pediment above the entrance was decorated with classical sculptures.
- 2. Desert pediments are often covered with gravel and rocks washed down from the hills.
How to use pediment
Pediment is a technical architectural term referring to the triangular gabled section above a portico or between a pitched roof and the wall face, commonly found in classical and neoclassical buildings. In geology, it describes a specific landform found at mountain bases in arid or semi-arid regions. The architectural sense is more widely known in general English.
Common phrases
- classical pediment
- triangular pediment
- decorative pediment
- pediment of a building
- mountain pediment
Synonyms
gable · frontispiece
Word family
pedimental (adjective)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse pediment with parapet; a pediment is specifically triangular and sits above the roofline, while a parapet is a low wall at the edge of a roof or terrace.
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