Standard Lemma guide

peristyle

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /ˈpɛɹɪstaɪl/
  • US: /ˈpɛɹəstaɪl/
  • CMU ARPABET: P EH1 R AH0 S T AY2 L Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A colonnade surrounding a courtyard, temple, etc., or the yard enclosed by such columns.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A porch surrounded by columns.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A sacred roofed courtyard with a central pillar (the potomitan), used as a space for voodoo ceremonies, either alone or as an adjunct to an enclosed temple or altar-room.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: voodoo

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

a colonnade surrounding a building or enclosing a court

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: colonnade

History

Etymology

From French péristyle, from Classical Latin peristȳlum, from περίστυλον (perístulon), from περι- (peri-, “around”) + στῦλος (stûlos, “pillar”). peri- + -style.

Across languages

Translations

16 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: peristil — colonnade surrounding a courtyard, temple, etc.
  • Polish: perystyl — colonnade surrounding a courtyard, temple, etc.
  • Catalan: peristil — a courtyard; the space surrounded by a colonnade
  • French: péristyle — a courtyard; the space surrounded by a colonnade
  • Irish: peiristíl — a courtyard; the space surrounded by a colonnade
  • Italian: peristilio — a courtyard; the space surrounded by a colonnade
  • Latin: peristȳlum — a courtyard; the space surrounded by a colonnade
  • Latin: peristȳlium — a courtyard; the space surrounded by a colonnade
  • Polish: perystyl — a courtyard; the space surrounded by a colonnade
  • Russian: перисти́ль (peristílʹ) — a courtyard; the space surrounded by a colonnade
  • Catalan: peristil — a porch surrounded by columns
  • French: péristyle — a porch surrounded by columns
  • Irish: peiristíl — a porch surrounded by columns
  • Italian: peristilio — a porch surrounded by columns
  • Latin: peristȳlium — a porch surrounded by columns
  • Polish: perystyl — a porch surrounded by columns