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

Ahead of me, the pews were sparsely populated by about four dozen people, many still wearing their matching green name tags. —Katie Thornton, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026

And so, Rue finds herself in a church pew, praying for forgiveness. —Marlow Stern, Variety, 24 May 2026

Each pew was full, and a small crowd gathered in the room beyond. —Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026

Children filled the pews — sweet, innocent and suddenly feeling even more precious to everyone there. —Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 10 May 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