pedestal

[ ped-uh-stl ]

/ ˈpɛd ə stl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pedestal ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an architectural support for a column, statue, vase, or the like.

a supporting structure or piece; base.

Furniture.

a support for a desk, consisting of a boxlike frame containing drawers one above the other.
a columnar support for a tabletop.

Building Trades. a bulge cast at the bottom of a concrete pile.

verb (used with object), ped·es·taled, ped·es·tal·ing or (especially British) ped·es·talled, ped·es·tal·ling.

to put on or supply with a pedestal.

Nearby words

pederast, pederasty, pedernales, pedes, pedesis, pedestal, pedestal table, pedestrian, pedestrian crossing, pedestrianism, pedestrianize

Idioms

set/put on a pedestal, to glorify; idealize: When we first became engaged each of us set the other on a pedestal.

Origin of pedestal

1555–65; alteration of Middle French piedestal < Italian piedestallo, variant of piedistallo literally, foot of stall. See ped-², de, stall¹

Related forms

un·ped·es·tal, verb (used with object), un·ped·es·taled, un·ped·es·tal·ing or (especially British) un·ped·es·talled, un·ped·es·tal·ling.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pedestal

But whereas we used to be satisfied gazing on that perfection as it stood up on a pedestal, now we want it down among us.
Bow Down, Bitches: How Beyoncé Turned an Elevator Brawl Into a Perfect Year|Kevin Fallon|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Almost a decade later Olmstead has stepped down from her pedestal to focus more of her time on sports and friends.
Blessed or Cursed? Child Prodigies Reveal All|Justin Jones|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her very first sculpture, a metallic chrome unicorn aptly titled “Space Oracle,” sits on a pedestal directly in front.
The Tiniest Jackson Pollock|Justin Jones|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The151-foot newborn waited in the harbor on her 171-foot pedestal, a huge French flag fluttering over her dark copper face.
128 Years Old and Still a Looker: Happy Birthday to Lady Liberty|Elizabeth Mitchell|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

A delicious marble Cupid appeared to have just alighted on his pedestal at the upper end of the room.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show|Robert W. Chambers|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Usually under each large statue was carved a pedestal scene having some connection with it.
How France Built Her Cathedrals|Elizabeth Boyle O'Reilly
The walk around the arena was an eternity, and then it was over and done with, and he had mounted his pedestal.
The Executioner|Frank Riley
The Hermiac statue, which they venerate in Cyllenê above other symbols, is an erect Phallus on a pedestal.
Bible Myths and their Parallels in other Religions|T. W. Doane
His example may well speak in silent impressiveness, bringing us down from our pedestal of pride.
The Mind of Jesus|John R. Macduff
Not one of the party, with perhaps an exception, should have liked to fire the shot that would have tumbled it from its pedestal.
The Scalp Hunters|Mayne Reid

British Dictionary definitions for pedestal

pedestal

/ (ˈpɛdɪstəl) /

noun

a base that supports a column, statue, etc, as used in classical architecture

a position of eminence or supposed superiority (esp in the phrases place, put, or set on a pedestal)

either of a pair of sets of drawers used as supports for a writing surface
(as modifier)a pedestal desk

Word Origin for pedestal

C16: from French piédestal, from Old Italian piedestallo, from pie foot + di of + stallo a stall

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with pedestal

pedestal

see on a pedestal.