podium

noun po·di·um \ ˈpō-dē-əm \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Examples: podium in a Sentence

Definition of podium

plural podiums or podia play \ˈpō-dē-ə\

1 : a low wall serving as a foundation or terrace wall: such as

a : one around the arena of an ancient amphitheater serving as a base for the tiers of seats

b : the masonry under the stylobate of a temple

2 a : a dais especially for an orchestral conductor

b : 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

On his way out of the arena, Kendrick Perkins stopped in the hallway and stuck his head in the interview room to see who was at the podium.

— alysha tsuji, For The Win, "Kendrick Perkins flipped off Kevin Durant during Game 3 press conference," 7 June 2018
Lewis, a Georgia Democrat, will be replaced at the podium by UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep Khosla.

— gary robbins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Civil rights legend John Lewis cancels his graduation speech at UC San Diego," 5 June 2018
LeBron is going to be absolutely dripping opulence at the podium.

— the crossover staff, SI.com, "2018 NBA Finals: Warriors-Cavs IV Picks, Random Predictions and More," 31 May 2018
Police officers escorted protesters out of UH's Cullen Performance Hall while Haley waited, quiet, at the podium.

— lindsay ellis, Houston Chronicle, "Nikki Haley to University of Houston: 'Our political opponents are not our enemies'," 22 May 2018
Former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed stands at the podium during a February 2017 press conference, at which the city released 1.4 million documents pertaining to the federal bribery investigation at City Hall.

— dan klepal, ajc, "Reed withheld subpoena aimed at airport in Atlanta bribery probe," 14 May 2018
Volunteers in yellow reflective vests broke away from government and religious leaders speaking at a podium Friday in Gary to help a woman carry bags of groceries inside a hosue.

— becky jacobs, Post-Tribune, "Program aiming to reduce gun violence expands to Gary with grant," 11 May 2018
Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, at podium, outside the 24th Street BART station on Friday.

— john wildermuth, San Francisco Chronicle, "Villaraigosa collects endorsements in SF from Art Agnos, David Campos," 11 May 2018
First up at the podium was Noel Francisco, the solicitor-general.

— The Economist, "The Supreme Court seems inclined to uphold the president’s travel ban," 26 Apr. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

podium Synonyms

Synonyms

dais, platform, rostrum, stage, stand, tribune;

Related Words

altar, pulpit;

riser, scaffold;

balcony, gallery;

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

appoint, credenza, mission, settee

-podium

noun combining form

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

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