Pfosten

German

Etymology

From Middle High German [Term?], from Old High German pfost, from Proto-West Germanic *post (“post, pedestal”).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈpfɔstən/, [ˈpfɔstən], [ˈpfɔstn̩] (standard)
  • IPA(key): /ˈfɔstən/ (northern Germany, central Germany)
  • Audio(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɔstən, -ɔstn̩

Noun

Pfosten m (strong, genitive Pfostens, plural Pfosten or Pfösten)

  1. post; pillar (long, fairly thick piece of wood or metal used to stabilise something)
  2. (less common) post; pole; pale (such an object used for purposes other than stabilisation)
    Synonyms: Pfahl, Pflock, Mast
  3. (sports) goalpost
    Synonym: Torpfosten
  4. (architecture) mullion

Usage notes
  • The normal plural is unchanged Pfosten.
  • The plural Pfösten is regional and restricted to southern Germany and Austria. It is rarely seen in standard usage.

Declension
Declension of Pfosten [masculine, strong]
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative ein der Pfosten die Pfosten, Pfösten
genitive eines des Pfostens der Pfosten, Pfösten
dative einem dem Pfosten den Pfosten, Pfösten
accusative einen den Pfosten die Pfosten, Pfösten
  • Absperrpfosten, Begrenzungspfosten, Holzpfosten, Metallpfosten, Leitpfosten, Rohrpfosten, Straßenpfosten, Treppenpfosten (“newel”), Vollpfosten, Zaunpfosten

Further reading
  • “Pfosten” in Duden online
  • “Pfosten” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
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