pulpit

noun pul·pit \ ˈpu̇l-ˌpit , ˈpəl- , -pət \

Definition of pulpit

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

See pulpit defined for English-language learners

See pulpit defined for kids

Recent Examples of pulpit from the Web

However, nothing prevents Scott from using his bully pulpit to recommend what action, if any, lawmakers should take.

— kristen m. clark, miamiherald, "Gov. Scott silent on what should happen with Confederate monument at Florida Capitol," 18 Aug. 2017
For long-time government watchers, this is part of what’s so perplexing about President Trump's use of his bully pulpit.

— alan murray, Fortune, "CEO Daily: Wednesday, 16th August," 16 Aug. 2017
Reeling from last week’s stinging defeat in the Senate, Donald Trump took up his online bully pulpit over the weekend to urge Republicans not to give up on passing a health-care bill.

— abigail tracy, The Hive, "“It’s Over”: Republicans Are Officially Ignoring Trump’s Obamacare Hissy Fit," 1 Aug. 2017
Every single word went through the microphone into the pulpit!

— as told to alexa tsoulis-reay and alyssa shelasky, The Cut, "7 Stories of Total Wedding Disasters," 17 July 2017
Pastors will now use his statement to support their condemnations of LGBTQ people from the pulpit.

— matthew vines, Time, "A Beloved Former Pastor Retracted His Support of Same-Sex Marriage. It Will Harm LGBTQ People More Than He May Know," 14 July 2017
Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi shocked the Middle East and Western powers shortly afterwards by appearing at the pulpit of Mosul's Grand al-Nuri Mosque to declare the caliphate and himself the leader of the world's Muslims.

— isabel coles, The Christian Science Monitor, "After three years of ISIS dominance in Mosul, Iraqi PM announces victory," 10 July 2017
WASHINGTON – Churches should have the right to endorse political candidates and still keep their tax-free status, say House Republicans targeting a law that prohibits such outright politicking from the pulpit.

— davidmpartridge, Fox News, "GOP bill targets law aimed at keeping politics out of churches," 1 July 2017
WASHINGTON (AP) — Churches should have the right to endorse political candidates and still keep their tax-free status, say House Republicans targeting a law that prohibits such outright politicking from the pulpit.

— stephen ohlemacher, The Seattle Times, "Bill targets law aimed at keeping politics out of churches," 30 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of pulpit

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

PULPIT Defined for English Language Learners

pulpit

noun

Definition of pulpit for English Language Learners

: a raised platform where a priest or minister stands when leading a worship service

PULPIT Defined for Kids

pulpit

noun pul·pit \ ˈpu̇l-ˌpit \

Definition of pulpit for Students

1 :a raised place in which a clergyman stands while preaching or conducting a religious service

2 :the profession of preachers

Learn More about pulpit

See words that rhyme with pulpit Spanish Central: Translation of pulpit Nglish: Translation of pulpit for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pulpit for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pulpit

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up pulpit? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

pulpit

Definition of pulpit

Recent Examples of pulpit from the Web

Origin and Etymology of pulpit

Other Christian Religious Terms

PULPIT Defined for English Language Learners

pulpit

Definition of pulpit for English Language Learners

PULPIT Defined for Kids

pulpit

Definition of pulpit for Students

Learn More about pulpit

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

knee-jerk

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

I'll Have the Us(ual)

The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

The Exceptions Quiz III

Forms of Government Quiz

Name That Thing

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066

pulpit

Definition of pulpit

Read the Latest from M-W

Recent Examples of pulpit from the Web

Origin and Etymology of pulpit

Other Christian Religious Terms

Phrases Related to PULPIT

Related Phrases

PULPIT Defined for English Language Learners

pulpit

Definition of pulpit for English Language Learners

PULPIT Defined for Kids

pulpit

Definition of pulpit for Students

Learn More about pulpit

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066