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

If using a smartphone, NOAA recommends enabling night mode, disabling flash and relying on a tripod to stabilize the image. —Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

The combination of all that is included in the ShiftCam ProGrip Starter Kit, as well as the ShiftCam ProMic Shotgun microphone, and the ShiftCam TravelPod Pro travel tripod is a big improvement for taking pictures using just a cellphone. —Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025

Sigma bundles a hood, front and rear caps, a shoulder strap, a soft pouch, and a tripod collar with the lens. —PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2025

Our best tripods guide has plenty of buying advice there, and our choice as the most affordable tripod — the Manfrotto Element MII is worth a look. —Paul Brett, Space.com, 29 Aug. 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