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

Reverend Cross never got to deliver his sermon from his pulpit on the day of the bombing. —John Archibald, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026

Mercy Culture’s pastors hung a candidate’s banner behind the pulpit, endorsed politicians during Sunday services, said that people who vote for Democrats weren’t truly Christian, and described Kamala Harris as a demonic Jezebel taking the form of a snake encircling the White House. —Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026

Governor Healey should stop using her pulpit to smear ICE and bully private companies. —Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2026

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

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