noun
Uncommon
podium
POH-dee-uhm
Podium (noun) means a raised platform for a speaker, performer, or conductor to stand on. Example: “The conductor stepped onto the podium and raised his baton.”
noun
1
A raised platform for a speaker, performer, or conductor to stand on.
"The conductor stepped onto the podium and raised his baton."
"The singer stepped up onto a small podium so everyone could see her."
"Workers built a wooden podium at the front of the hall."
2
A stand that holds notes for someone giving a speech.
"He gripped the sides of the podium, visibly nervous."
"The headteacher placed her notes on the podium and began to speak."
"He adjusted the microphone on the podium before his speech."
3
The raised platform where the top three finishers of a competition stand to receive their medals; also used to mean a top-three finish itself.
"She stood on the podium after winning bronze."
"He's finished on the podium three races in a row."
"The young swimmer dreamed of standing on the podium at the national championships."
How to use podium
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA raised stand for speaking or performing, or the platform (and by extension, a top-three finish) at a competition.
Common mistake
In American English "podium" is often used for the stand a speaker stands behind (technically a lectern), which is a common but widely accepted looseness.
Common pairings
step onto the podium
finish on the podium
award podium
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Word forms
- Plural
- podia, podiums
- Third person singular
- podiums
- Past tense
- podiumed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The conductor stepped onto the _____ and raised his baton.
Etymology
From Latin podium, from Greek podion, "little foot," a diminutive of pous, "foot."
Related words
Rhymes for podium
See all rhymes for podium →Frequently asked questions
What does “podium” mean?
The word “podium” means a raised platform for a speaker, performer, or conductor to stand on. In plain terms, a raised stand for speaking or performing, or the platform (and by extension, a top-three finish) at a competition.
How do you pronounce “podium”?
“Podium” is pronounced POH-dee-uhm (/ˈpoʊ.di.əm/ in IPA).
How do you use “podium” in a sentence?
Here is “podium” used in a sentence: “The conductor stepped onto the podium and raised his baton.”
What part of speech is “podium”?
“Podium” is a noun.
Where does the word “podium” come from?
The word “podium” comes from Latin. From Latin podium, from Greek podion, "little foot," a diminutive of pous, "foot.".
Is “podium” a common word?
“Podium” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “podium” have?
“Podium” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a raised platform for a speaker, performer, or conductor to stand on.
What is the difference between a podium and a lectern?
A podium is the raised platform a speaker, performer, or conductor stands on, while a lectern is the slanted stand that holds notes. In everyday use the two words are often confused, and in American English "podium" is sometimes used loosely to mean the note-stand itself.
What is the difference between a podium and a stage?
A stage is a general raised area for performance, whereas a podium is typically smaller and designed for a single speaker, performer, or conductor to stand on. In sports, "podium" has the more specific sense of the tiered stand where the top three finishers receive their medals.
Why do people say a competitor "made the podium"?
This uses the sporting sense of podium, where finishing in the top three places on the medal stand is shorthand for a top-three result overall. Saying someone "got a podium" or "podiumed" means they finished first, second, or third.
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