German

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Etymology

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

Pronunciation

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

Noun

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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

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  • 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

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Further reading

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  • Pfosten” in Duden online
  • Pfosten” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache