noun

pergola

/ˈpɜːrɡələ/ · say it: PER·guh·luh

an open garden structure of posts supporting crossbeams

In more detail

1. (noun) a garden structure made of wooden beams or metal bars arranged in a grid pattern, usually supported by posts, often used to create shade or support climbing plants

Examples

We sat under the pergola in the garden, shaded by the climbing vines.

How to use pergola

A pergola is a common garden or landscaping feature, typically freestanding or attached to a house, designed to provide partial shade and support climbing vegetation. It differs from an arbor in being more substantial and geometric, and from a gazebo in being open-sided without full enclosure. The term is used in both formal garden design contexts and casual residential gardening.

Common phrases

climbing ivy pergola
wooden pergola
metal pergola
pergola over patio
pergola in garden
pergola structure

Synonyms

arbor · trellis · gazebo · bower · lattice shelter

Word family

pergolas (plural)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse pergola with gazebo, but a pergola is open-sided and grid-structured, whereas a gazebo is typically a fully enclosed freestanding pavilion.

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