podium
A small platform on which a person may stand to be seen by an audience, as when making a speech or conducting an orchestra.
A podium is physically stood upon. However, in everyday speech, it is very frequently used to refer to the slanted desk that holds a speaker's notes (which is technically a lectern).
Word relationships
- dais: A dais is a larger raised platform for a group of people or a head table, while a podium is typically for a single speaker or conductor.
- lectern: A lectern is a slanted stand that holds a speaker's notes, whereas a podium is the platform the speaker stands on.
Commonly confused with
- lectern: You stand ON a podium; you stand BEHIND a lectern.
Word family
- podiums (noun): Standard plural form.
- podia (noun): Classical Latin plural form.
Collocations
- step up to the podium
- conductor's podium
- award podium
- behind the podium
Example sentences
- "The conductor stepped onto the podium, raised his baton, and the hall fell silent." An orchestral performance.
- "The gold medalist stood proudly on the highest tier of the podium as the national anthem played." An award ceremony.
Memory hook
Podium starts with 'pod', like a 'podiatrist' (a foot doctor). This reminds you that a podium is a platform for your feet. A platform for your feet.
When not to use
In highly technical architectural or formal contexts, do not use podium if you actually mean a lectern (the stand that holds notes).
Fun facts
- The word 'pew' (church bench) and 'pedal' both share the same ancient Indo-European root related to feet that gave us 'podium'.
Related words
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