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

With a tripod set and the moment perfectly staged, Arrieta dropped to one knee – only for two unsuspecting tourists to stroll directly into the frame at exactly the wrong time. —Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 2 Aug. 2025

The design itself is aesthetically pleasing with a screw-in tripod stand for added convenience. —Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 28 July 2025

Varda, who used a large-format view camera, is seen carrying a big case, a tripod, and a four-legged stool through the street in the rain. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 July 2025

Realizing the opportunity for a photo, Yoshiki Abe waited for the right conditions, then, on October 12, 2024, set up a tripod inside the cave. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 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