pew

noun

ˈpyü 

1

: a compartment in the auditorium of a church providing seats for several persons

2

: one of the benches with backs and sometimes doors fixed in rows in a church

Examples of pew in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

People are returning to the pews, and religion’s influence in everyday life and politics is becoming more prevalent. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026

As Greenwood Missionary Baptist Church, generations filled its pews for Sunday worship, choir performances, weddings and funerals. — Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026

Hurst in ‘93 was among the first inside the church upon the flooding, which lifted the pews off the floor and toppled the statues and rose high enough, more than 9 feet, to fill the pulpit. — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

On a cloudy-white Sunday morning in June, Joey Phelps shuffles into the familiar back pew of Yeakley Chapel, the small Methodist church that has been a part of his life for nearly 50 years. — Harry Bruinius, Christian Science Monitor, 5 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pewe, from Middle French dialect (Picardy) puie balustrade, from Latin podia, plural of podium parapet, podium, from Greek podion base, diminutive of pod-, pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pew

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

pew

noun

ˈpyü 

: one of the benches with backs and sometimes doors set in rows in a church