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

As word spread among Catholics that immigration agents were visiting places of worship to carry out deportations, the pews inside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in downtown Los Angeles became less and less crowded. —Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025

With so many layoffs recently, is the gaming industry—as in pew pew, not ka-ching ka-ching—going through a temporary reset or a secular decline? —Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 10 July 2025

Medallions of maple foliage adorned the galleries, whereas pews were accented by floral torches and feathery palms. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 7 July 2025

During this past Easter Sunday, the traditional wooden pews in the church's large auditorium overflowed with the devout and those who venture into services only once or twice a year. —Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 3 July 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