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

This could be as simple as a tall chair or a counter top, but a tripod would be ideal. —Chris Velazco, Washington Post, 13 Nov. 2023

Its tripod extends to an impressive 48 inches high, and conveniently folds up to just 15 inches in length. —Alex Rennie, Popular Mechanics, 24 Aug. 2023

The influencers, toting their cameras and their tripods and their lighting equipment and their outfit changes. —Jessica Contrera, Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2023

They are typically mounted to a tripod or armored vehicle and used as a defensive weapon in combat. —Isabelle Chapman, CNN, 13 Oct. 2023

This deal nets you an extra battery, case, small tripod, and other accessories. —Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 11 Oct. 2023

Whatever the reason, Tunde packs up his tripod, and, with it, any expectation of innocent reverie. —Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2023

Even now, visitors are banned from using flashes and stabilization devices like tripods or selfie sticks. —Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Sep. 2023

The tripod socket is in the center of the bottom plate, a better design choice than the offset screw Ricoh uses in the WG-80. —PCMAG, 13 Sep. 2023

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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

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