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

The couple also owned a view camera: a wooden box on a tripod which exposed images onto glass plates. —Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 13 July 2025

Audio and video recording equipment (including iPads, Go-Pros, drones, cameras with detachable lenses, selfie sticks, tripods). —Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 7 July 2025

If possible, rig up a tripod or something else to help steady your camera or smartphone over the eyepiece. —Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 6 July 2025

However, astrophotographers will likely be using a tripod anyway. —Chris McMullen, Space.com, 4 July 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