pew

¹ 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 ² American  

abbreviation

Biology, Ecology.

1. possibly extinct in the wild.

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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

Either way, Ms. Mun has us on the edge of our pew.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

A few hours before the memorial service began, Kasselia had been sitting in a pew in his empty church, trying to make sense of it.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2025

A painting of Graham stood on an easel at the front of the chapel, his wife of 65 years, Adele, dabbing her eyes as she sat in the first pew with their family.

From Seattle Times • May 11, 2024

In a TV commercial, Sister Monica Clare, a nun in northern New Jersey, walks through a church that’s bathed in sunlight and sits in a pew, crossing herself.

From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2024

“And also with you,” I replied before turning and walking back to the pew at the front of the sanctuary, where my confirmation class was seated.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles