podium

1 of 2

noun

po·​di·​um ˈpō-dē-əm How to pronounce podium (audio)
plural podiums or podia ˈpō-dē-ə How to pronounce podium (audio)
Synonyms of podiumnext
1
: a low wall serving as a foundation or terrace wall: such as
a
: one around the arena of an ancient amphitheater serving as a base for the tiers of seats
b
: the masonry under the stylobate of a temple
2
a
: a dais especially for an orchestral conductor
b
: lectern

-podium

2 of 2

noun combining form

plural -podia
: foot : part resembling a foot
pseudopodium

Synonyms

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of podium in a Sentence

Noun the conductor on the podium tonight is one of the leading figures of classical music
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
But on Saturday, the junior made the podium for the first time — and took it all the way to the top step. — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025 While at the podium at the SAG Awards, Fonda also spoke about resistance against McCarthyism, a period of anti-communist hysteria in the 1950s. — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 24 Feb. 2025 From the workouts at Lucas Oil Stadium to the podium interviews at the Indiana Convention Center to the late-night gatherings at Prime 47, nearly everywhere in downtown Indianapolis will serve as a hunting ground for information for NFL teams. — James Boyd, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025 The fourth graders who traveled from Kansas City to Topeka to testify before lawmakers weren’t tall enough to see over the podium, but their teacher brought them a stool to stand on. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for podium

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin — more at pew

Noun combining form

New Latin, from Greek podion, diminutive of pod-, pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use

Noun

1743, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of podium was in 1743

Rhymes for podium

See All Rhymes for podium

Browse Nearby Words

-podite
podium
-podium
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Podium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/podium. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

podium

noun
po·​di·​um ˈpōd-ē-əm How to pronounce podium (audio)
plural podiums or podia -ē-ə How to pronounce podium (audio)
: a raised platform especially for an orchestral conductor

More from Merriam-Webster on podium

Nglish: Translation of podium for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about podium

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All