podium

play

noun po·di·um \ˈpō-dē-əm\

Definition of podium

plural

podiums

podia

play \-dē-ə\

1 : a low wall serving as a foundation or terrace wall: such asa : one around the arena of an ancient amphitheater serving as a base for the tiers of seatsb : the masonry under the stylobate of a temple
2a : a dais especially for an orchestral conductorb : lectern

See podium defined for English-language learners

See podium defined for kids

Examples of podium in a Sentence

the conductor on the podium tonight is one of the leading figures of classical music

Recent Examples of podium from the Web

Returning the U.S. to the top of the Gold Cup podium is one of the items on the checklist.

— jonathan tannenwald, Philly.com, "U.S. all in to win CONCACAF Gold Cup, and for good reason," 18 July 2017
Shortly before Lincoln Riley took the podium to make his first Big 12 media day address as the Oklahoma football coach, the new face of the Sooners’ program received a reality check from the league’s commissioner.

— jimmy burch, star-telegram, "OU’s Riley channels Stoops, now needs to produce like him," 17 July 2017
When Sankey took the podium to begin the event, there were at least eight SEC logos within 30 feet of him, either projected on screens or painted on helmets.

— adam sparks, The Courier-Journal, "SEC Media Days: Best and worst of Day 1," 10 July 2017
Cut to David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker, at the podium.

— manohla dargis, New York Times, "Review: In ‘City of Ghosts,’ Fighting ISIS With Journalism," 6 July 2017
The Norris contingent, some of whom made the 2,200-mile journey from Newfoundland, did not have to wait long for NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to call Josh Norris to the podium.

— mark spezia, Detroit Free Press, "1st-round NHL draft pick Josh Norris taking big-play ability to U-M," 5 July 2017
Gaines digested the speech, then raced towards the podium at the conclusion, beelining to ask Vaccaro a question.

— jake fischer, SI.com, "Meet Lonzo Ball's Agent ... (No, It's Not LaVar)," 29 June 2017
After leaving the New York ensemble in 1936, claiming the workload was too much for a man his age, Toscanini was back on the podium within a year – in the same city – when the National Broadcasting Company established an orchestra just for him.

— jonathan rosenberg, The Christian Science Monitor, "'Toscanini: Musician of Conscience' is a feast of music, culture, politics," 29 June 2017
On May 5, Sanders took to the podium during a daily White House press briefing.

— kayleigh roberts, Cosmopolitan, "Who Is Sarah Huckabee Sanders? 10 Things to Know About the White House's Deputy Press Secretary.," 28 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'podium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of podium

Latin — more at pew

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1743

See Words from the same year

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

appoint, credenza, mission, settee

-podium

noun combining form po·di·um

Definition of -podium

plural

-podia

: foot : part resembling a foot pseudopodium

Origin and Etymology of -podium

New Latin, from Greek podion, diminutive of pod-, pous foot — more at foot

PODIUM Defined for English Language Learners

podium

play

noun

Definition of podium for English Language Learners

: a raised platform for a speaker, performer, or the leader of an orchestra
: a stand with a slanted surface that holds a book, notes, etc., for someone who is reading, speaking, or teaching

PODIUM Defined for Kids

podium

noun po·di·um \ˈpō-dē-əm\

Definition of podium for Students

1 : a raised platform especially for the conductor of an orchestra
2 : a stand with a slanted surface (as for holding papers or a book) that a person can stand behind or near when giving a speech