lectern

[ lek-tern ]

noun

1. a reading desk in a church on which the Bible rests and from which the lessons are read during the church service.
2. a stand with a slanted top, used to hold a book, speech, manuscript, etc., at the proper height for a reader or speaker.

lectern

/ ˈlɛktən /

noun

1. a reading desk or support in a church
2. any similar desk or support

Word History and Origins

Origin of lectern¹

1275–1325; earlier lectron ( e ), late Middle English lectryn < Medieval Latin lēctrīnum, derivative of lēctrum lectern, equivalent to Latin leg ( ere ) to read + -trum instrumental suffix; replacing Middle English letroun, lettorne < Middle French letrun < Medieval Latin lēctrum, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of lectern¹

C14: from Old French lettrun, from Late Latin lectrum, ultimately from legere to read

Example Sentences

When Valenzuela Jr. stood at the wooden lectern, he spoke only in Spanish, trying to hold back tears.

From Los Angeles Times

As bad as it looks on the page, it sounded and looked worse live, especially when taken in context with the unsteady way he had walked to his lectern, the barely audible voice he was speaking with, and the vacant, almost alarmed way he stared into the camera when Trump was talking:

From Slate

Don’t go on too long and talk to the country, and not just the party, is the mission statement for the winner in front of the lectern.

From BBC

The King had just walked away from a lectern to rejoin Queen Camilla sitting on the stage when Thorpe started shouting as she walked forwards from the back of the assembly.

From BBC

“The heart of an athlete was the direct quote from my cardiologist,” Harbaugh told reporters, smiling and flexing at the lectern.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• rostrum