podium

1 of 2

noun

po·​di·​um ˈpō-dē-əm 

plural podiums or podia 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

-podium

2 of 2

noun combining form

plural -podia

: foot : part resembling a foot

pseudopodium

Synonyms

Noun

• platform
• stage
• pulpit
• stand
• rostrum
• dais
• tribune
• balcony
• altar

Examples of podium in a Sentence

Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Russell’s crash in 2023 showed that a minor mistake can wipe you off the podium. —Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025

Among those battling for the podium were the McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri who secured enough points to ensure that the British team sealed this year’s constructors’ championship, even with six races remaining. —Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025

Back inside the church, Joseph’s cousin Fekel Morisette took the podium and called the congregation to its feet. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025

At the most recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the Briton started the race from fifth and secured a P2 podium spot. —Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin — more at pew

Noun combining form

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

First Known Use

Noun

1743, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for podium

• odium
• podium
• rhodium
• sodium
• chenopodium
• lycopodium
• monosodium
• polypodium
• desmodium
• disodium
• plasmodium
• propodeum

Kids Definition

podium

noun

po·​di·​um ˈpōd-ē-əm 

plural podiums or podia -ē-ə 

: a raised platform especially for an orchestral conductor