rostrum
ros·trum
noun \ˈräs-trəm also ˈrȯs-\ plural ros·tra \-trə\ or rostrums
Definition of ROSTRUM
1
[Latin Rostra, plural, a platform for speakers in the Roman Forum decorated with the beaks of captured ships, from plural of rostrum] a : an ancient Roman platform for public orators b : a stage for public speaking c : a raised platform on a stage
2
: the curved end of a ship's prow; especially : the beak of a war galley
3
: a bodily part or process suggesting a bird's bill: as a : the beak, snout, or proboscis of any of various insects or arachnids b : the often spinelike anterior median prolongation of the carapace of a crustacean (as a crayfish or lobster)
Examples of ROSTRUM
- <stood on a rostrum to address the huge crowd>
Origin of ROSTRUM
Latin, beak, ship's beak, from rodere to gnaw — more at rodent
First Known Use: 1542
Other Performing Arts Terms
Rhymes with ROSTRUM
ros·trum
noun \ˈräs-trəm also ˈrȯs-\ (Medical Dictionary)plural ; rostrumsor ; ros·tra \-trə\ (audio pronunciation)
Medical Definition of ROSTRUM
: a bodily part or process suggesting a bird's bill: as a : the reflected anterior portion of the corpus callosum below the genu b : the interior median spine of the body of the basisphenoid bone articulating with the vomer
Learn More About ROSTRUM
Browse
Seen & Heard 
What made you want to look up rostrum? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).


See 








