tripod

noun

tri·​pod ˈtrī-ˌpäd How to pronounce tripod (audio)
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 How to pronounce tripod (audio)
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 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tripod.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tripod was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near tripod

Cite this Entry

“Tripod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tripod. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

tripod

noun
tri·​pod ˈtrī-ˌpäd How to pronounce tripod (audio)
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 How to pronounce tripod (audio)
: a bone having three processes

More from Merriam-Webster on tripod

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!