Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Cantilevers are structural elements that extend horizontally and are supported at only one end. They are commonly used in architecture to create overhangs or floating structures.
Related terms
Suspension Bridges: Suspension bridges use cantilevers to support the bridge deck, allowing it to span long distances without intermediate supports.
Balconies: Balconies often utilize cantilevered design principles by extending outward from the building's facade without additional visible supports.
Architect Frank Gehry is known for his innovative use of cantilevers in buildings such as the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, where sections of the structure appear to defy gravity.