lectern

noun

lec·​tern ˈlek-tərn 

: a stand used to support a book or script in a convenient position for a standing reader or speaker

especially : one from which scripture lessons are read in a church service

Examples of lectern in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Several dozen people sat at folding tables facing Hageman’s lectern; a woman in the row ahead of me fiddled with military action figures. —Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025

DeSantis brought with him, and called to the lectern to speak, Attorney General James Uthmeier who went farther than the governor in his arguments. —Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2025

But when the two leaders stepped up to the twin lecterns, Trump put his hand out to indicate Putin should speak first. —Nik Popli, Time, 16 Aug. 2025

After several hours of talks on Friday, the leaders took their positions on a stage behind two lecterns inside a press filing center at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson flanked by U.S. and Russian flags. —Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 15 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lettorne, from Anglo-French leitrun, from Medieval Latin lectrinum, from Late Latin lectrum, from Latin legere to read — more at legend

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

lectern

noun

lec·​tern ˈlek-tərn 

: a desk to read from while standing

especially : one from which scripture lessons are read in a church service