PEW

¹ American  

abbreviation

Biology, Ecology.

1. possibly extinct in the wild.

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pew ² American  

[pyoo] / pyu /

noun

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

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

3. those occupying pews; congregation.

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pew British  

/ pjuː /

noun

1. 1. one of several long benchlike seats with backs, used by the congregation

   2. an enclosed compartment reserved for the use of a family or other small group

2. informal a seat (esp in the phrase take a pew )

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Etymology

Origin of pew

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

Example Sentences

I slid into a pew as Calvin clamped the handle of the saw between his knees, with the saw teeth pointing toward him.

From Literature

We make our way into the church and sit on the floor between the pews.

From Literature

She leads us into the restored synagogue and points to a pew so Abuela can rest while she begins to explain its history.

From Literature

In her student days, for stress relief, Ms. Chan would lie on a pew and gaze upon this “airy canopy of stone.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Sitting in the pews in Downey, the singer reflected on why he got into music and why Christian entertainment is on the rise.

From Los Angeles Times