lintel
LIN-tuhl
/ˈlɪn.təl/
A horizontal structural beam spanning across the top of an opening, such as a window or doorway.
Carries the heavy weight of the masonry wall directly above an opening and redirects loads to side supports.
The story behind the word. Derived from Vulgar Latin *limitaris (border or threshold) via Old French lintel. Remarkably, while its Latin root originally described floor-level thresholds, in English the word shifted exclusively to upper doorway beams.
Word relationships
- header: Header is standard framing terminology in timber construction; lintel is preferred in masonry work.
- beam: Beam covers any horizontal load support; lintel strictly bridges door or window openings.
- sill: The horizontal structural support located at the bottom of a window or door opening.
Commonly confused with
- threshold: Threshold lies at floor level under a doorway; lintel bridges high above the top of the door.
Collocations
- concrete lintel
- steel lintel
- stone lintel
- lintel beam
Example sentences
- "Engineers evaluated the cracked stone lintel above the entrance arch to determine if structural shoring was necessary." Architectural History
- "Steel lintels were placed over every wide window frame before masons laid brick rows above them." Residential Building
Memory hook
LINTEL sits HIGH above the doorway threshold. Lintel = upper opening beam.
When not to use
Do not use for vertical wall supports or bottom window frame sills.
Fun facts
- The colossal crossbeams bridging upright stones at Stonehenge are prehistoric stone lintels.
Explore more words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.