lectern

American  

[lek-tern] / ˈlɛk tərn /

noun

• lecterns
  plural

1. a reading desk in a church on which the Bible rests and from which the lessons are read during the church service.

2. a stand with a slanted top, used to hold a book, speech, manuscript, etc., at the proper height for a reader or speaker.

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lectern British  

/ ˈlɛktən /

noun

1. a reading desk or support in a church

2. any similar desk or support

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• lecterns
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of lectern

1275–1325; earlier lectron ( e ), late Middle English lectryn < Medieval Latin lēctrīnum, derivative of lēctrum lectern, equivalent to Latin leg ( ere ) to read + -trum instrumental suffix; replacing Middle English letroun, lettorne < Middle French letrun < Medieval Latin lēctrum, as above

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Explanation

When the President of The United States gives a speech, he often stands at a wooden lectern featuring the presidential seal. A lectern is a stand on which you can place notes or papers while you lecture. Lecterns often feature a sloped top and a little lamp to make reading from a paper or notes easier. The word lectern comes from the Latin word legere which means "to read." Lecterns serve another purpose for nervous readers — they offer a good hiding place for shaking hands.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lectern lecterns

Asked about the lawsuit during questioning, Turner said, “We’re working on that right now,” then shifted to a brown lunch bag pulled from the lectern from which he extracted several items.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

So when Burnham decided to break with tradition and make his inaugural address Monday accompanied by only a minimalist microphone stand, a vocal faction of the electorate worried they’d lose more than the lectern.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

Tobias Gough’s duty was simple: wheel out the heavy, bespoke wooden lectern and test the mic whenever a premier was about to resign or make their first speech to the nation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

But perhaps conscious that "lectern moments" have become a symbol of the UK's political instability in recent years, Burnham broke with recent tradition and made the address without notes or a podium.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

The little store-front church was only half filled when they walked in, but Reverend Price was already behind the lectern, thumbing through his Bible.

From "The Contender" by Robert Lipsyte

The studio director cut to a wide shot revealing six empty lecterns.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

We open with the candidates walking out and taking their place behind their lecterns.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2024

The two leaders gave opening remarks from lecterns on opposite sides of the stage.

From Reuters ● Nov. 18, 2023

The set for this Cambridge University institution is minimal — two tables, two chairs, two tabletop lecterns.

From New York Times ● Oct. 2, 2022

There are beautiful examples of brass lecterns at Magdalene and Merton Colleges, Oxford, in most of our cathedrals, and many parish churches.

From Stones of the Temple Lessons from the Fabric and Furniture of the Church by Walter Field

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Related Words

• rostrum

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