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

The pulpit of Temple Emanu-El has given me many blessings. —Joshua M. Davidson, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026

Premiering at Sundance for the 11th time, Araki used his pulpit there to pay tribute to the late Robert Redford for his foresight in establishing a creative outlet for minorities and outsider artists, a safe space that established him as cinema’s punk poet laureate of Generation X. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026

In the Martin Luther Memorial Church in Mariendorf, built in 1935, a wood carving on the pulpit depicts Christ preaching to a small group that includes a helmet-wearing Wehrmacht soldier. —Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026

Caught between government and gospel But not everyone believes politics has a place at the pulpit. —Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 15 Dec. 2025

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