columnist

noun

col·​um·​nist ˈkä-ləm-nist How to pronounce columnist (audio)
-lə-mist
also ˈkäl-yəm-nist, 
-yə-mist
Synonyms of columnistnext
: one who writes a newspaper or magazine column
columnistic
ˌkä-ləm-ˈni-stik How to pronounce columnist (audio)
also ˌkäl-yəm-
adjective

Examples of columnist 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.
Whether faith can be justified on any terms but its own is an epistemological question beyond this columnist’s understanding. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026 The group of Star columnists and reporters who regularly cover the Chiefs — Sam McDowell, Vahe Gregorian, Pete Sweeney, Pete Grathoff and me — weighed in on the bye-week awards and unanimously slotted Walker at the top of both ballots. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026 Multiple New York Times opinion columnists have argued that straight men aren’t reading for lack of relatable protagonists. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026 This week, a columnist for The New York Times’ The Athletic called for the Indiana Fever to part ways with Sophie Cunningham. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for columnist

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of columnist was in 1917

Phrases Containing columnist

Browse Nearby Words

column inch
columnist
column of Lissauer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Columnist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/columnist. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

columnist

noun
col·​um·​nist ˈkäl-əm-(n)əst How to pronounce columnist (audio)
: a person who writes a newspaper or magazine column

More from Merriam-Webster on columnist

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for columnist

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about columnist

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