English Explanatory Dictionary

pulpit

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. 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. Activity associated with or usually performed from a church pulpit; preaching, sermons, religious teaching.
  3. The preaching profession, office, or role in general; the pastorate, the priesthood, the ministry.
  4. Preachers collectively; clergy; the priesthood.
  5. An individual or particular preaching position or role; a pastorate.
  6. Bully pulpit.
  7. Any lectern, podium, dais, or platform for an orator or public speaker.
  8. 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. A bow platform for harpooning.
  10. A plane's cockpit.

Pronunciation

po͝ol′-pĭt pŭl′-pĭt /ˈpʊlpɪt/ /ˈpʌlpɪt/ En-us-pulpit.ogg /ˈpʉlpɪt/

Word forms

pulpit pulpits

Etymology

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

Synonyms

platform soapbox tribune office cockpit

Related words

ambo

Derived words

bully pulpit Jack-in-the-pulpit parson-in-the-pulpit pulpital pulpited pulpiteer pulpiter pulpitful pulpitical pulpitish pulpitism pulpitize pulpitless pulpitry wayside pulpit
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