pedestal
PEH-dihs-tuhl
Pedestal (noun) means the base that supports a column, statue, vase, or similar object. Example: “The marble statue stood on a stone pedestal in the courtyard.”
noun
1
The base that supports a column, statue, vase, or similar object.
"The table and two base pedestals cost more than $4,000. The pedestals are described as having “hand applied ebonized inlay with bell flowers topped by hand carved scrolls and a fluted column.”"
— Rene Marsh, See HUD’s $31,000 mahogany dining set (2018)
"The state reached a deal with the city to remove the 40-foot granite pedestal the Lee statue sat on for more than a century."
— Ami Vera, Virginia to begin removal process of Robert E. Lee statue pedestal in Richmond, governor says (2021)
"The marble statue stood on a stone pedestal in the courtyard."
2
A position of great honor or admiration.
"Fans put the singer on a pedestal after her first big hit."
How to use pedestal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA support that raises something up — literally a base for a statue, or figuratively an elevated, admired status.
Memory tip
The figurative phrase "put on a pedestal" means to admire someone so much you overlook their flaws.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
put someone on a pedestal
knock someone off their pedestal
stone pedestal
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Word forms
- Plural
- pedestals
- Third person singular
- pedestals
- Past tense
- pedestaled, pedestalled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The marble statue stood on a stone _____ in the courtyard.
Etymology
From Italian piedistallo, literally "foot stand," borrowed into French and then English.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for pedestal
See all rhymes for pedestal →Frequently asked questions
What does “pedestal” mean?
The word “pedestal” means the base that supports a column, statue, vase, or similar object. In plain terms, a support that raises something up — literally a base for a statue, or figuratively an elevated, admired status.
How do you pronounce “pedestal”?
“Pedestal” is pronounced PEH-dihs-tuhl (/ˈpɛdɪstəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “pedestal” in a sentence?
Here is “pedestal” used in a sentence: “The marble statue stood on a stone pedestal in the courtyard.”
What part of speech is “pedestal”?
“Pedestal” is a noun.
Where does the word “pedestal” come from?
The word “pedestal” comes from French. From Italian piedistallo, literally "foot stand," borrowed into French and then English.
Is “pedestal” a common word?
“Pedestal” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “pedestal” have?
“Pedestal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the base that supports a column, statue, vase, or similar object.
