Added 10 October 2026
pedestal
/ˈpɛdɪstəl/ noun
In Latin: basis, crepīdō Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about pedestal at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
A support or foundation.
the base of the lamp
-
A position of great esteem (and supposed superiority).
they put him on a pedestal
- An architectural support or base (as for a column or statue).
Origin
Borrowed from Middle French piédestal, itself borrowed from Italian piedistallo (literally “foot stand”). Spelling influenced by Latin pēs, pedem.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)