ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pulpit

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈpʊɫpɪt// UK //pˈʌlpɪt// pul·pit Archaic Slang

n. a high platform in a church where a priest or minister stands to give a talk. It is usually raised so that everyone in the building can see and hear the speaker clearly.

n. an elevated platform or stand in a church from which a sermon is delivered. Often enclosed by a railing and positioned to provide maximum visibility to the congregation.


SIMPLE

The minister stood at the pulpit to begin the Sunday service.

CONTEXTUAL

The historic cathedral features an ornate wooden pulpit carved with scenes from the life of Saint Peter.

COMPLEX

From his vantage point at the pulpit, the preacher could observe the subtle shifts in the congregation's attention as he moved from theological exposition to more personal anecdotes.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English pulpit, from Old French pulpite and Latin pulpitum (“platform”). Doublet of pulpitum.

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'at' or 'in'.

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