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

Video of the incident shared to social media shows Sánchez Molinari standing at the pulpit during Mass as a woman in the congregation recites a prayer. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2026

An elderly woman in a proper ink-black dress and modest, sensible heels motioned us over and led us down the aisle, inviting us to sit in the pair of waiting chairs just opposite the pulpit. — Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026

In most Quaker houses of worship, there is no clergy, pulpit or altar. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

This is a moment to celebrate a revolution that got televised, an opus of sound and fury that sparked difficult conversations from Bible study to the Barbershop, from the pole to the pulpit. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 10 Sep. 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