ambo

[ am-boh ]

noun

, plural am·bos.

1. (in an early Christian church) a raised desk, or either of two such desks, from which the Gospels or Epistles were read or chanted.

ambo

¹

/ ˈæmbəʊ /

noun

1. either of two raised pulpits from which the gospels and epistles were read in early Christian churches

ambo

²

/ ˈæmbəʊ /

noun

1. an ambulance driver
2. an ambulance

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambo¹

First recorded in 1635–45; from Medieval Latin ambō(n), from Greek ámbōn “edge, rim, pulpit”

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambo¹

C17: from Medieval Latin, from Greek ambōn raised rim, pulpit

Example Sentences

There is also an entirely new "ambo" team that has been created to care for the patients who can't even get into the corridors.

From BBC

I awoke up surrounded by police and ambos, concerned flatmates.

From The Guardian

For the chapel — where the priests take turns leading Friday Mass for themselves and any employees who care to attend — Marvel designed a walnut altar and ambo and a blackened-steel holy water font.

From New York Times

Cardinal Ravasi said that he had only made two requests of the architects, that the chapels contain two central liturgical elements: the ambo, known also as a pulpit or lectern, and the altar.

From New York Times

“Would you rather wait for the outcome of the follow up letter or call the ambo ASAP?” he wrote, using the shorthand for “ambassador.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• rostrum