A Podium Is Stood On; a Lectern Is Read From
A podium is a raised platform. Speakers stand on a podium and read from a lectern, and the two are often confused.
A podium is a small raised platform. The distinction from a *lectern* is functional: you stand on a podium and read from a lectern. American English has largely merged them, using podium for the reading stand, which irritates careful speakers. The Greek *podion* means a little foot, from *pous*, foot.
- A raised platform. *Step onto the podium.*
- A winners' platform. *A podium finish.*
- A lectern (American use). *At the podium.*
- Podia — the Latin plural. *Three podia.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | podium | The winner's podium. |
| Plural | podiums | Two podiums. |
| Plural | podia | The Latin plural. |
| Related | lectern | A wooden lectern. |
| Related | dais | A raised dais. |
How it is used in a sentence
- You stand on a podium.And read from a lectern.
- A podium finish means top three.Motorsport and athletics.
- Podium means a little foot.Greek *podion*.
Raised platforms
- Podium — a small platform to stand on
- Dais — a low platform for a table or throne
- Rostrum — a platform for public speaking, named after ships' beaks in Rome
- Lectern — a stand holding a book or notes
- Pulpit — an elevated enclosed stand in a church
From Latin *podium*, a raised platform, from Greek *podion*, a little foot, from *pous*, a foot.
Podium or lectern?
Strictly, a podium is stood on and a lectern read from. American usage often calls the reading stand a podium.
Why is a speaking platform called a rostrum?
From the Roman forum, where the speakers' platform was decorated with the beaks, or *rostra*, of captured ships.