King post

A king post extends vertically from a crossbeam (the tie beam) to the apex of a triangular truss.

The truss consists of two diagonal members that meet at the apex of the truss, one horizontal beam that serves to tie the bottom end of the diagonals together, and the king post which connects the apex to the horizontal beam below.

King post trusses are also used as a structural element in wood and metal bridges.

A painting by Karl Blechen circa 1833 illustrating construction of the second Devil's Bridge (Teufelsbrücke) in the Schöllenen Gorge shows multiple king posts suspended from the apex of the falsework upon which the masonry arch has been laid.

Architectural historians in the French colonial cities St Louis, Missouri and New Orleans, Louisiana use the term "Norman roof" to refer to a steeply pitched roof; it is supported by what they call a "Norman truss" which is similar to a king post truss.

The very robust hinge connecting the boom to the chassis in a backhoe, similar in function and appearance to a large automotive kingpin, is called a king post.

On a cargo ship or oiler a king post is an upright with cargo-handling or fueling rig devices attached to it.