lectern

noun

lec·​tern ˈlek-tərn 

: a stand used to support a book or script in a convenient position for a standing reader or speaker

especially : one from which scripture lessons are read in a church service

Examples of lectern in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bhairavi Desai, head of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, lauded Valdivia from the lectern Tuesday. —Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026

Biss offered remarks at the lectern about ICE agents and the emerging situation. —Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026

Then the smiling photo of him, lectern in hand, rocketed around the world. —Carter Weinhofer, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2026

The man who stole a lectern from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office on Jan 6th is running as a Republican for public office in Florida, according to our CBS sister station in West Palm Beach WPEC. —Alyssa Dzikowski, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lettorne, from Anglo-French leitrun, from Medieval Latin lectrinum, from Late Latin lectrum, from Latin legere to read — more at legend

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

lectern

noun

lec·​tern ˈlek-tərn 

: a desk to read from while standing

especially : one from which scripture lessons are read in a church service