podium

¹

[ poh-dee-uhm ]

noun

, plural po·di·ums, po·di·a [poh, -dee-, uh].

1. a small platform for the conductor of an orchestra, a public speaker, the recipient of a sports medal, etc.
2. Architecture.
   1. a low wall forming a base for a construction, as a colonnade or dome.
   2. a stereobate for a classical temple, especially one with perpendicular sides.
   3. the masonry supporting a classical temple.
   4. a raised platform surrounding the arena of an ancient Roman amphitheater having on it the seats of privileged spectators.
3. lectern.
4. a counter or booth, as one at an airport for handling tickets or dispensing information.
5. Zoology, Anatomy. a foot.
6. Botany. a footstalk or stipe.

verb (used without object)

1. (in a sports competition) to finish first, second, or third and receive an award while standing on a podium:

   He’s podiumed in five of his past six races.

-podium

²

1. a combining form meaning “footlike part” of an organism, used in the formation of compound words:

   monopodium; pseudo-podium.

podium

¹

/ ˈpəʊdɪəm /

noun

1. a small raised platform used by lecturers, orchestra conductors, etc; dais
2. a plinth that supports a colonnade or wall
3. a low wall surrounding the arena of an ancient amphitheatre
4. zoology
   1. the terminal part of a vertebrate limb
   2. any footlike organ, such as the tube foot of a starfish

-podium

²

combining form

1. a part resembling a foot

   pseudopodium

Word History and Origins

Origin of podium¹

1605–15; < Latin: “elevated place, balcony” < Greek pódion “little foot,” equivalent to pod- pod- + -ion diminutive suffix. See pew

Origin of podium²

From New Latin; podium

Word History and Origins

Origin of podium¹

C18: from Latin: platform, balcony, from Greek podion little foot, from pous foot

Origin of podium²

from New Latin: footlike; see podium

Example Sentences

Jurado tried to make her way to a podium to address the jubilant crowd, but well-wishers kept pulling her aside for selfies or just to stand in her presence.

From Los Angeles Times

Attendees stood on the floor or in the balcony, bathed in blue lighting, watching MSNBC’s Steve Kornacki provide election night analysis on two wide screens flanking the speakers’ podium at the front of the room.

From Salon

This rule quirk potentially decided the race, and certainly disadvantaged Lando Norris and George Russell to the benefit of Max Verstappen and the Alpine drivers, who eventually finished on the podium.

From BBC

Alpine duo Esteban Ocon and Pierre Galsy joined him on the podium, while it was a difficult race for Verstappen's title rival Lando Norris, who could only finish sixth.

From BBC

Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly took the final two podium places to transform Alpine's season and move the team up from ninth in the constructors' championship to sixth.

From BBC

Related Words

• dais
• platform
• rostrum
• stage