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

Professional photo, video and audio equipment — detachable zoom lenses, stands, monopods, tripods, selfie sticks or other commercial equipment. —Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026

While the invading Martians and their tall, terrifying, laser-toting tripods are undeniably fantasy, the fact that they were undone by Earth’s disease-causing microbes is not. —Big Think, 19 Feb. 2026

What's more important is having one of the best tripods or best travel tripods to keep your whole setup steady and avoid blurry images. —Tantse Walter, Space.com, 18 Feb. 2026

The high-quality tripod stand houses four outlets (all suitable for three-prong plugs) and is perfect for general use—computers, speakers, chargers, and more daily-use items. —Kelsey Borovinsky, Architectural Digest, 9 Feb. 2026

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