Final answer:
A lintel is a horizontal framing member placed above doorways or windows in a load-bearing wall to support the load and prevent collapse. It is a key component of the post-and-lintel construction method, which involves a horizontal lintel supported by vertical posts or columns.
Step-by-step explanation:
A lintel is a horizontally placed wooden framing member that is made to support the load when an opening is made in a load-bearing wall. This architectural feature is part of the post-and-lintel system, which is a simple construction method using a horizontal header or architrave supported at its ends by two vertical columns or pillars. The lintel acts similarly to the crosspiece in this system, spanning the top of windows or doorways to distribute the weight above and prevent the structural collapse of the wall.
The concept of a lintel is also related to architectural terms such as engaged columns and pilasters, but these serve different purposes. Engaged columns are not free-standing but become part of the wall they support, while pilasters appear to be supporting structures but are often decorative. Both can be involved in structures using the post-and-lintel method or similar construction techniques.