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

The Aurora priest also sees more young people filling the pews, noting that not only has this year’s Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults class had a record number of participants in his parish, Bishop David Malloy indicated to him that RCIA numbers are up across the Rockford Diocese. —Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025

Following Pope Francis’ lead, the church is advocating a more inclusive policy toward migrants, and Catholics born abroad are increasingly filling the pews. —Erika Page, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Apr. 2025

Instead of a classic colonial New England church filled with wooden pews, the Brick Chapel has no pews at all. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025

The father buried his face into a pew’s rail and sobbed. —Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2025

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