pedestal

1 of 2

noun

ped·​es·​tal ˈpe-də-stᵊl How to pronounce pedestal (audio)
1
a
: the support or foot of a late classic or neoclassical column see column illustration
b
: the base of an upright structure
the pedestal of a statue
2
: base, foundation
Tourism is the island's economic pedestal.
3
: a position of esteem
… be careful not to put celebrities on too high a pedestal.Phil Plait

pedestal

2 of 2

verb

pedestaled or pedestalled; pedestaling or pedestalling

transitive verb

: to place on or furnish with a pedestal

Examples of pedestal in a Sentence

Noun the pedestal of a vase
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The pedestal elevates the main motherboard chamber, which is exposed for all to see. PC Magazine, 25 May 2025 The monument, which was on the grounds of the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, featured a bronze Confederate soldier atop a pedestal and was erected in 1911 as part of a reunion of former Confederate soldiers. Amir Mahmoud, Arkansas Online, 22 May 2025
Verb
Worse, pedestaling successful Asian immigrant families also often silences and subjugates undocumented Asian immigrants, who represent one out of every seven Asian immigrants living in the United States. Irene Hsu, New Republic, 16 Feb. 2018 See All Example Sentences for pedestal

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle French piedestal, from Old Italian piedestallo, from pie di stallo foot of a stall

First Known Use

Noun

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1648, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pedestal was in 1563

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pedestal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pedestal. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

pedestal

noun
ped·​es·​tal
ˈped-əs-tᵊl
1
: the support or foot of a column
2
: the base of something upright (as a vase, lamp, or statue)
3
: a position of high regard
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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