tripod

noun

tri·​pod ˈtrī-ˌpäd 

1

: a three-legged stand (as for a camera)

2

: a stool, table, or altar with three legs

3

: a vessel (such as a cauldron) resting on three legs

tripod adjective

or tripodal

ˈtri-pə-dᵊl 

ˈtrī-ˌpä-

Examples of tripod in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Use a basic smartphone holder and a small tripod to prevent any camera shake, keeping your images sharp. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

This foldable tripod chair, $33, is a great option and fulfills these requirements. —Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2025

Like the Mini 12, the Mini 41 does not include a tripod attachment thread. —PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025

In it, a handful of people with cameras and tripods stand in an open field as greenish-blue light streaks across the sky. —Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin tripod-, tripus, from Greek tripod-, tripous, from tripod-, tripous, adjective, three-footed, from tri- + pod-, pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for tripod

• abroad
• applaud
• backboard
• ballade
• defraud
• ephod
• facade
• guffawed
• outlawed
• ramrod
• roughshod
• slipshod

Kids Definition

tripod

noun

tri·​pod ˈtrī-ˌpäd 

1

: something (as a container or stool) resting on three legs

2

: a three-legged stand (as for a camera)

Medical Definition

tripod

noun

tri·​pod ˈtrī-ˌpäd 

: a bone having three processes