pew

[ pyoo ]

/ pyu /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pew ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

(in a church) one of a number of fixed, benchlike seats with backs, accessible by aisles, for the use of the congregation.

an enclosed seat in a church, or an enclosure with seats, usually reserved for a family or other group of worshipers.

those occupying pews; congregation.

RELATED WORDS

seat, stall, slip, bench

Nearby words

Origin of pew

1350–1400; Middle English puwe < Middle French puie balcony < Latin podia, plural (taken as singular) of podium balcony. See podium

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

Examples from the Web for pew

According to Pew, 14 of the 20 countries in the Middle East and North Africa have blasphemy laws.
In Defense of Blasphemy|Michael Tomasky|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Have a look at this telling research from Pew on blasphemy and apostasy laws around the world.
In Defense of Blasphemy|Michael Tomasky|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The Pew poll also found most African Americans expect relations between police and minorities will actually get worse.
Dr. Howard Fuller's Injustice Education|Campbell Brown|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Pew estimates the number of swing voters at about 25 percent, a quarter of the electorate.
Yes, Independent Swing Voters Are Real. And May Decide Who Wins Elections|Linda Killian|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In 2030, Pew estimates that Hispanics will make up 12 percent of older voters.
How Old People Will Decide Your Future|Stuart Stevens|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He would go to church every Sunday, and sit in the big Squire's pew.
The Market-Place|Harold Frederic
Trim concealed himself every Sunday morning, and either met me as I entered the church, or I found him under my seat in the pew.
Anecdotes of Dogs|Edward Jesse
Still as though moving in a mist, she sank again into her seat and bowed her forehead upon the pew 298 in front.
Beatrice Leigh at College|Julia Augusta Schwartz
Before you go, may I ask when we'll see your pew rent, to say nothing of the tithe?
The Syndic|C.M. Kornbluth
I was pushed into a pew up in the front, and so could not escape until the end of the service.
The Better Germany in War Time|Harold Picton

British Dictionary definitions for pew

pew

/ (pjuː) /

noun

(in a church)

one of several long benchlike seats with backs, used by the congregation
an enclosed compartment reserved for the use of a family or other small group

British informal a seat (esp in the phrase take a pew)

Word Origin for pew

C14 pywe, from Old French puye, from Latin podium a balcony, from Greek podion supporting structure, from pous foot

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

Word Origin and History for pew

pew

late 14c., "raised, enclosed seat for certain worshippers" (ladies, important men, etc.), from Old French puie, puy "balcony, elevation," from Latin podia, plural of podium "elevated place," also "balcony in a Roman theater" (see podium). Meaning "fixed bench with a back, for a number of worshippers" is attested from 1630s.