any vertical structural member. Although columns are often [[LoadBearing load bearing]], columns can be purely aesthetic, existing as either free-standing, or [[engaged]], similar to a [[pilaster]]. They often support [[beam beams]], [[girder girders]], or [[arch arches]]. Structural columns transfer [[load loads]] vertically through their long axis.

See Also specific [[ClassicalOrder classical orders]]:
[[DoricOrder Doric order]]
[[IonicOrder Ionic order]]
[[CorinthianOrder Corinthian order]]

See Related: [[pier piers]]