tripod

noun

tri·​pod ˈtrī-ˌpäd 

1

: a three-legged stand (as for a camera)

2

: a stool, table, or altar with three legs

3

: a vessel (such as a cauldron) resting on three legs

tripod adjective

or tripodal

ˈtri-pə-dᵊl 

ˈtrī-ˌpä-

Examples of tripod in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Top tips to photograph the moon Use a tripod to keep your camera as steady as possible. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 July 2026

No detachable telephoto lenses, no camera bags, no tripods, mono-pods, selfie sticks. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 20 June 2026

The lightweight Slacker Stool is a lightweight tripod stool built for fast, easy seating almost anywhere. — ABC News, 2 July 2026

Prospective photographers should remember to bring a tripod and remote timer, as all cameras need to sit still for long periods of time in order to gather enough light to capture photos of the dark sky. — Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin tripod-, tripus, from Greek tripod-, tripous, from tripod-, tripous, adjective, three-footed, from tri- + pod-, pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for tripod

• abroad
• applaud
• backboard
• ballade
• defraud
• ephod
• facade
• guffawed
• outlawed
• ramrod
• roughshod
• slipshod

Kids Definition

tripod

noun

tri·​pod ˈtrī-ˌpäd 

1

: something (as a container or stool) resting on three legs

2

: a three-legged stand (as for a camera)

Medical Definition

tripod

noun

tri·​pod ˈtrī-ˌpäd 

: a bone having three processes