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

Using office chairs and boxes as a makeshift tripod, Lynch adapted the script that had emerged from her journal into a video. —Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025

Gardner carted his supplies to this featureless patch of earth near the fort, set up his tripods and cameras, and then arranged his dark tent nearby, out of sight of the camera’s lens. —Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025

Slowly, Hawkins was able to build the dog's trust and get close to it, eventually containing the pup by using a tripod as a makeshift leash. —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025

Professional photography equipment, detachable/interchangeable lenses, audio/video recording devices, tripods, monopods (selfie sticks), tablets, laptops, computers, promotional materials. —Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 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