Pfosten

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

• IPA^(key): /ˈpfɔstən/, [ˈpfɔstən], [ˈpfɔstn̩] (standard)
• IPA^(key): /ˈfɔstən/ (northern and central Germany)

• Audio:

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɔstən, -ɔstn̩

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

• 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.

• Absperrpfosten, Begrenzungspfosten, Holzpfosten, Metallpfosten, Leitpfosten, Rohrpfosten, Straßenpfosten, Treppenpfosten (“newel”), Vollpfosten, Zaunpfosten

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