pulpit

Meaning

1. (countable) A raised platform in a church, sometimes enclosed, where the minister or preacher stands when giving the sermon; also, the lectern on such a platform.
2. (metonymically, uncountable) Activity associated with or usually performed from a church pulpit; preaching, sermons, religious teaching.
3. (metonymically, uncountable) The preaching profession, office, or role in general; the pastorate, the priesthood, the ministry.
4. (metonymically, uncountable) Preachers collectively; clergy; the priesthood.
5. (countable, metonymically) An individual or particular preaching position or role; a pastorate.
6. (broadly) Bully pulpit.
7. (countable) Any lectern, podium, dais, or platform for an orator or public speaker.
8. (countable) The railing at the bow of a boat, which sometimes extends past the deck; also called bow pulpit. The railing at the stern is sometimes called the stern pulpit or the pushpit.
9. (countable) A bow platform for harpooning.
10. (UK, dated, slang) A plane's cockpit.

Synonyms

rostrum

dais

podium

platform

lectern

stage

stump

ambo

soapbox

speaker’s platform

upper seat

seat of equity

seat of sermon

raised platform

control house

console cabinet

control compartment

chair

🪑

cockpit

control room

scaffold

stand

throne

tribune

turret

reviewing stand

Translations

pulpito

púlpito

chaire

kansel

Kanzel

púlpito

leerstoel

púlpit

preekstoel

katheder

άμβωνας

spreekgestoelte

cathedra

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈpʊlpɪt/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: pulpit

In summary

From Middle English pulpit, from Old French pulpite and Latin pulpitum (“platform”). Doublet of pulpitum.