pulpit

noun

pul·​pit ˈpu̇l-ˌpit 

ˈpəl-, 

-pət

1

: an elevated platform or high reading desk used in preaching or conducting a worship service

2

a

: the preaching profession

b

: a preaching position

Examples of pulpit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

First lady Eleanor Roosevelt spoke from the church’s pulpit on March 29, 1943, telling those gathered that the right of all people to be considered equal must be preserved in the country’s post-World War II efforts. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026

On the field, Goldschmidt has made first base his pulpit for preaching the good word. —Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026

Nowadays, on Sunday mornings on the trail, Talarico often attends a local church and strolls around happily, eying the pulpit like a home buyer trying a listing on for size. —Tad Friend, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026

But one of his most consequential legacies unfolded far from church pulpits and voting booths. —Brennan Nevada Johnson, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin pulpitum, from Latin, staging, platform

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pulpit

• bully pulpit
• from the pulpit
• in the pulpit
• jack-in-the-pulpit

Kids Definition

pulpit

noun

pul·​pit ˈpu̇l-ˌpit 

also ˈpəl-, 

-pət

1

: a raised platform or high desk used in preaching or leading a worship service

2

: the preaching profession

3

: a job as a preacher