What architectural feature is characterized by external supports that distribute weight?

The flying buttress is a significant architectural feature that serves the purpose of distributing weight away from the walls of a building, particularly in Gothic architecture. This design element consists of a freestanding support that extends from the main structure to a separate support, creating a more stable and rigid form. The innovation of the flying buttress allowed for the construction of taller structures with larger windows and thinner walls, attributes that are hallmarks of Gothic cathedrals such as Notre-Dame de Paris.

Other choices represent different architectural elements that do not serve the same supportive function as a flying buttress. For instance, a cornice is a decorative feature that crowns a building and does not provide structural support. An architrave refers to the beam that rests directly on columns, serving more of a horizontal support role rather than a weight-distributing one. A pilaster is a flattened column that projects slightly from a wall and is mainly decorative, lacking the external support function that a flying buttress provides.