PODIUM Definition & Meaning

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podium

[ poh-dee-uhm ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

plural podiums, podia

a small platform for the conductor of an orchestra, a public speaker, the recipient of a sports medal, etc.
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.
lectern.
a counter or booth, as one at an airport for handling tickets or dispensing information.
Zoology, Anatomy. a foot.
Botany. a footstalk or stipe.

(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

a combining form meaning “footlike part” of an organism, used in the formation of compound words:
monopodium; pseudo-podium.

podium

/ ˈ��əʊ��ɪə�� /

a small raised platform used by lecturers, orchestra conductors, etc; dais
a plinth that supports a colonnade or wall
a low wall surrounding the arena of an ancient amphitheatre
zoology
1. the terminal part of a vertebrate limb
2. any footlike organ, such as the tube foot of a starfish

-podium

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Origin of podium¹

1605–15; < Latin: “elevated place, balcony” < Greek ��ó�徱�ǲ� “little foot,” equivalent to pod- pod- + -ion diminutive suffix. See pew

Origin of podium²

From New Latin; podium

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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

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