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

And for bonus points, an antique pew can make for excellent seating around a dining table or in hallways. —Hannah Coates, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026

Jagger’s bandmates, rock ‘n’ roll comrades, and other A-listers attended their vows—Keith Richards, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, and Brigitte Bardot were just a few of the glitterati in the pews. —Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 17 Jan. 2026

Young Yolanda King watches on from the pew as her father makes a point during a speech at a political rally in Montgomery, Alabama in 1966. —Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026

By the time Mass started, dozens of people were standing behind the pews unable to find seats. —Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2026

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