pedestal

[ ped-uh-stl ]

noun

1. an architectural support for a column, statue, vase, or the like.
2. a supporting structure or piece; base.
3. Furniture.
   1. a support for a desk, consisting of a boxlike frame containing drawers one above the other.
   2. a columnar support for a tabletop.
4. Building Trades. a bulge cast at the bottom of a concrete pile.

verb (used with object)

, ped·es·taled, ped·es·tal·ing or (especially British) ped·es·talled, ped·es·tal·ling.

1. to put on or supply with a pedestal.

pedestal

/ ˈpɛdɪstəl /

noun

1. a base that supports a column, statue, etc, as used in classical architecture
2. a position of eminence or supposed superiority (esp in the phrases place, put, or set on a pedestal )
3. 1. either of a pair of sets of drawers used as supports for a writing surface
   2. ( as modifier )

      a pedestal desk

Other Words From

• un·pedes·tal verb (used with object) unpedestaled unpedestaling or (especially British) unpedestalled unpedestalling

Word History and Origins

Origin of pedestal¹

1555–65; alteration of Middle French piedestal < Italian piedestallo, variant of piedistallo literally, foot of stall. See ped- ², de, stall ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of pedestal¹

C16: from French piédestal, from Old Italian piedestallo, from pie foot + di of + stallo a stall

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. set / put on a pedestal, to glorify; idealize:

   When we first became engaged each of us set the other on a pedestal.

More idioms and phrases containing pedestal

see on a pedestal .

Example Sentences

“It just shattered me. What I needed then, so badly, was security and safety and trust. Cormac was my life, my pattern. He was on a pedestal for me. And finding out he lied about those things, they became chinks in the trust.”

From Los Angeles Times

Set in Downtown Park at the center of a 20-foot circle with twin entries and benches, “The Well of Love” will consist of a trio of conjoined, 10-foot-high stone ovals anchored by a single pedestal and tipping out slightly toward the viewer.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s interesting to see a man who is put on a pedestal by the world being taken down to his inner child by the person who knows him the most.

From Los Angeles Times

How do you guys respond to conversations when people prop you up on that pedestal of relationship goals?

From Salon

I think that could be really fun to tackle, but again, I do hold Christmas up on a pedestal.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• podium