What does podium mean?
A podium is a raised platform used by speakers to address an audience, often equipped with a lectern or microphone and used at ceremonies, conferences, and political events. The term also has a well-established sporting sense: the podium is the group of leading places awarded after a race, normally first, second, and third. “Mount the podium” refers to climbing onto it to receive a medal, while “podium finish” describes a competitor who finishes in one of the leading positions. Although “podium” and “lectern” are sometimes confused, they are related but distinct objects: the podium is the platform, while the lectern is the stand that supports a speaker’s notes. The word is formal and widely understood in both British and American English, and its sporting use is often more immediate than its public-speaking use.
nounA raised platform from which a speaker addresses an audience, especially a lectern or stand used at a formal event. In racing, the word also refers to the overall set of finishing positions at the front of a race.
- A raised platform, lectern, or stand from which someone delivers a speech or addresses an audience.
- In a race, the group of leading finishing positions, especially first, second, and third place.
"The mayor climbed to the podium to announce the results."
"The finalists mounted the podium to receive their medals."
"Her clear remarks from the podium won applause from the crowd."
The plural is formed by adding -s.
"The speakers waited behind the podiums before the ceremony began."
From the Latin podium, meaning a raised platform, the word ultimately comes from the Greek pous, meaning “foot.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does podium come from?
English borrowed podium from Latin, where it referred to a raised platform, especially the raised section of a Roman theater. Latin podium in turn came from Greek podion, a diminutive of pous, meaning “foot.” The word’s original sense of a platform was later extended to the speaker’s stand and, in modern English, to the leading finishing positions in a race.
Related word forms
How podium is actually used
In British English, “podium” can refer specifically to the raised platform itself; in sports contexts, it commonly refers to the first three finishing positions. In American English, “finish on the podium” means to finish in one of those leading positions.
Easily confused with podium
A podium is the raised platform on which a speaker stands, whereas a lectern is the movable stand that holds notes or a script.