pew

¹

[ pyoo ]

noun

1. (in a church) one of a number of fixed, benchlike seats with backs, accessible by aisles, for the use of the congregation.
2. an enclosed seat in a church, or an enclosure with seats, usually reserved for a family or other group of worshipers.
3. those occupying pews; congregation.

PEW

²

abbreviation for

, Biology, Ecology.

1. possibly extinct in the wild ( def ).

pew

/ pjuː /

noun

1. in a church
   1. one of several long benchlike seats with backs, used by the congregation
   2. an enclosed compartment reserved for the use of a family or other small group
2. informal.
   a seat (esp in the phrase take a pew )

Word History and Origins

Origin of pew¹

1350–1400; Middle English puwe < Middle French puie balcony < Latin podia, plural (taken as singular) of podium balcony. See podium

Word History and Origins

Origin of pew¹

C14 pywe, from Old French puye, from Latin podium a balcony, from Greek podion supporting structure, from pous foot

Example Sentences

In the front pews, the Valenzuela family — including sons, daughters and grandchildren — sat together.

From Los Angeles Times

On this day, though, it’s the reverse; we took our place in pews that were now 95% white, and as non-Pennsylvanian.

From Salon

More than 200 people packed the pews at Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights on Wednesday, and they all had one question on their minds:

From Los Angeles Times

Politicians from D.C. to Sacramento, the Inland Empire to the Bay Area and all parts of Los Angeles packed 11 pews.

From Los Angeles Times

Like at the house functions, Donte displayed framed portraits around the space, which had church pews, flameless candles and a piano.

From Los Angeles Times