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

The gym isn’t your personal TikTok filming studio, so please keep your tripod and ring light at home. —Jenny McCoy, Outside, 2 Jan. 2026

Normally, the only way to counteract this would be to use a binocular tripod or have the world’s stillest hands. —Harry Bennett, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2026

Consider buying a camera bundle with lenses and other accessories, such as memory cards, tripods, flash units and protective bags. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025

Getting the tree into our 1950s tripod stand — the one passed down from my parents — is another holiday ordeal. —Mark Glende, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025

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