pedestal

1 of 2

noun

ped·​es·​tal ˈpe-də-stᵊl 

1

a

: the support or foot of a late classic or neoclassical column see column illustration

b

: the base of an upright structure

the pedestal of a statue

2

: base, foundation

Tourism is the island's economic pedestal.

3

: a position of esteem

… be careful not to put celebrities on too high a pedestal.

—Phil Plait

pedestal

2 of 2

verb

pedestaled or pedestalled; pedestaling or pedestalling

transitive verb

: to place on or furnish with a pedestal

Examples of pedestal in a Sentence

Noun

the pedestal of a vase

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Treatment for an eating disorder should be oriented toward a life where calories and pounds are not your central concern, but BMI and weight requirements instead put those numbers on a pedestal. —Hannah Dylan Pasternak, SELF, 25 Mar. 2024

Since then, she’s made sure to never put another love interest on a pedestal. —Jenna Wang, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2024

Experts noted that an iron dowel had been added to the statue, allowing it to be attached to a bust or pedestal – an adaptation which was historically carried out by Italian dealers in antiquities during the late 18th century when selling items to aristocrats traveling in Italy. —Amy Woodyatt, CNN, 19 Mar. 2024

Experts noted an iron dowel attached to the head, which must have connected it to the pedestal. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024

The black pedestal table’s spindle leg design matches the chair’s legs and makes for a convenient spot to place a cup of coffee or remote while lounging. —Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2024

On Wednesday, two drones inspected the area around the exterior of the main structural support in the vessel, called the pedestal. —Mari Yamaguchi, Quartz, 28 Feb. 2024

From bracingly sharp when raw to silky-sweet when slowly cooked, these 31 recipes put onions on a well-deserved pedestal. —Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appétit, 26 Feb. 2024

Finally, the chef carves a second plate of meat onto an oval pedestal and situates it over a glass cloche outfitted for smoke infusions. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2024

Verb

The state of Virginia took that statue and pedestal down in September and deeded the property to the city. —Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2022

Worse, pedestaling successful Asian immigrant families also often silences and subjugates undocumented Asian immigrants, who represent one out of every seven Asian immigrants living in the United States. —Irene Hsu, New Republic, 16 Feb. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle French piedestal, from Old Italian piedestallo, from pie di stallo foot of a stall

First Known Use

Noun

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1648, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pedestal

• knock (someone) off his/her pedestal
• put/place (someone) on a pedestal

Kids Definition

pedestal

noun

ped·​es·​tal

ˈped-əs-tᵊl

1

: the support or foot of a column

2

: the base of something upright (as a vase, lamp, or statue)

3

: a position of high regard