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

Related Words

• dais
• platform
• rostrum
• stage