pedestal

1 of 2

noun

ped·​es·​tal ˈpe-də-stᵊl How to pronounce pedestal (audio)
1
a
: the support or foot of a late classic or neoclassical column see column illustration
b
: the base of an upright structure
the pedestal of a statue
2
: base, foundation
Tourism is the island's economic pedestal.
3
: a position of esteem
… be careful not to put celebrities on too high a pedestal.Phil Plait

pedestal

2 of 2

verb

pedestaled or pedestalled; pedestaling or pedestalling

transitive verb

: to place on or furnish with a pedestal

Examples of pedestal in a Sentence

Noun the pedestal of a vase
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
Some news accounts of the unveiling have seized on this quote, but it was clearly made in a spirit of humility, as in: How did a guy like me, from such modest beginnings, end up on a pedestal? Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2024 Here's a hint: A gorgeous entry to a park With a controversy so stark Now a vacant space to mull Nothing left but a pedestal Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Chicago. Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 8 Oct. 2024
Verb
Worse, pedestaling successful Asian immigrant families also often silences and subjugates undocumented Asian immigrants, who represent one out of every seven Asian immigrants living in the United States. Irene Hsu, New Republic, 16 Feb. 2018 See all Example Sentences for pedestal 

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle French piedestal, from Old Italian piedestallo, from pie di stallo foot of a stall

First Known Use

Noun

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1648, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pedestal was in 1563

Dictionary Entries Near pedestal

Cite this Entry

“Pedestal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pedestal. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

pedestal

noun
ped·​es·​tal
ˈped-əs-tᵊl
1
: the support or foot of a column
2
: the base of something upright (as a vase, lamp, or statue)
3
: a position of high regard
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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