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

Here, a fellow’s card tricks turning to flames are as unremarkable as the knitting granny in an adjacent pew. —Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2026

Her uncles, aunties and cousins Warner, Alayona and Kenai were also in the pews, holding each other. —Angela George, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026

Almost 100 law-enforcement officers filled the pews on one side of the little church in a small northern-Wisconsin community. —Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026

Upgrades included new floors and pews, brighter lighting, revamped wiring and better acoustics in the historic building. —Steven Martinez, jsonline.com, 23 Mar. 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