pulpit

noun

pul·​pit ˈpu̇l-ˌpit 

ˈpəl-, 

-pət

1

: an elevated platform or high reading desk used in preaching or conducting a worship service

2

a

: the preaching profession

b

: a preaching position

Examples of pulpit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Politicians routinely invoke faith on the campaign trail, speak from pulpits and frame policy debates in moral terms. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 21 June 2026

Moore was a Baptist evangelist, admired for his knowledge of the Scriptures and for his satirical edge from the pulpit. — Michael Luo, New Yorker, 14 June 2026

Candice and Timothy show Brittany how ‘church hurt’ stretches out from the pulpit and into cultural norms around gender, sexuality, acceptance. — Brittany Luse, NPR, 9 June 2026

The Sagrada Familia is a global pulpit, but it's set in a country where Christianity is receding. — ABC News, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin pulpitum, from Latin, staging, platform

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pulpit

• bully pulpit
• from the pulpit
• in the pulpit
• jack-in-the-pulpit

Kids Definition

pulpit

noun

pul·​pit ˈpu̇l-ˌpit 

also ˈpəl-, 

-pət

1

: a raised platform or high desk used in preaching or leading a worship service

2

: the preaching profession

3

: a job as a preacher