Colonnade vs. Peristyle — What's the Difference?

In classical architecture, a colonnade is a long sequence of columns joined by their entablature, often free-standing, or part of a building. Paired or multiple pairs of columns are normally employed in a colonnade which can be straight or curved.

In Hellenistic Greek and Roman architecture, a peristyle (; from Greek περίστυλον) is a continuous porch formed by a row of columns surrounding the perimeter of a building or a courtyard. Tetrastoön (τετράστῳον or τετράστοον, 'four arcades') is a rarely used archaic term for this feature.

A series of columns placed at regular intervals.

A series of columns surrounding a building or enclosing a court.

A structure composed of columns placed at regular intervals.

A court enclosed by columns.

A series of columns at regular intervals.

A colonnade surrounding a courtyard, temple, etc., or the yard enclosed by such columns.

A peristyle.

A porch surrounded by columns.

A portico or stoa.

(voodoo) A sacred roofed courtyard with a central pillar (the potomitan), used as a space for voodoo ceremonies, either alone or as an adjunct to an enclosed temple or altar-room.

A regular row of anything, such as trees.

A range of columns with their entablature, etc.; specifically, a complete system of columns, whether on all sides of a court, or surrounding a building, such as the cella of a temple. Used in the former sense, it gives name to the larger and inner court of a Roman dwelling, the peristyle. See Colonnade.

A series or range of columns placed at regular intervals with all the adjuncts, as entablature, stylobate, roof, etc.

A colonnade surrounding a building or enclosing a court

Structure consisting of a row of evenly spaced columns

A structure composed of a series of arches supported by columns