pew
[pyoo]
- (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.
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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. 2018
Examples from the Web for pew
Contemporary Examples
According to Pew, 14 of the 20 countries in the Middle East and North Africa have blasphemy laws.
Have a look at this telling research from Pew on blasphemy and apostasy laws around the world.
The Pew poll also found most African Americans expect relations between police and minorities will actually get worse.
According to a 2013 Pew Research Center study 28 percent of Jews ages 18 to 49 keep kosher inside their homes.
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 ElectionsLinda Killian
November 3, 2014
Historical Examples
It was caused by the fall of Dr. Benson In the pew while kneeling in prayer.
The Grand Old ManRichard B. Cook
Our pew is well up in front,—seems as if I could see it now.
A Little Book of Profitable TalesEugene Field
The pew we sat in was a square one, with a table in the middle of it for our books.
Ranald Bannerman's BoyhoodGeorge MacDonald
The tomb was close by the side of the pew, with only a flagged passage between.
Ranald Bannerman's BoyhoodGeorge MacDonald
She saw them sitting in their pew far down toward the chancel.
Bride of the MistletoeJames Lane Allen
pew
- (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)
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Word Origin
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
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Word Origin and History for pew
n.
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper