pulpit

American  

[pool-pit, puhl-] / ˈpʊl pɪt, ˈpʌl- /

noun

• pulpits
  plural

1. a platform or raised structure in a church, from which the sermon is delivered or the service is conducted.

2. the pulpit,

   1. the clerical profession; the ministry.

   2. members of the clergy collectively.

      In attendance were representatives of medicine, the pulpit, and the bar.

3. (especially in Protestantism and Judaism) the position of pastor or rabbi.

   He heard of a pulpit in Chicago that was about to be vacated.

4. the work of a preacher; preaching.

5. bully pulpit.

6. (in small craft)

   1. a safety rail rising about 18 to 30 inches (48 to 76 centimeters) from the deck near the bow and extending around it.

   2. a similar rail at the stern.

7. a control booth in a factory, usually elevated and glass-enclosed, from which an operator can observe and direct the manufacturing process.

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pulpit British  

/ ˈpʊlpɪt /

noun

1. a raised platform, usually surrounded by a barrier, set up in churches as the appointed place for preaching, leading in prayer, etc

2. any similar raised structure, such as a lectern

3. a medium for expressing an opinion, such as a column in a newspaper

4. 1. the preaching of the Christian message

   2. the clergy or their message and influence

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pulpital
  adjective
• pulpitless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• pulpits
  plural

Etymology

Origin of pulpit

First recorded in 1300–50; Anglo-Norman pulpit, pulputte, French, Middle French pulpite, from Latin pulpitum “platform, scaffold, stage,” and also in Late Latin “pulpit”

Explanation

If you go into a church and see a minister speaking from a high platform, he's speaking from the pulpit. Pulpit was originally used to refer to the platform in a church that a preacher speaks from, but we often use it metaphorically for any kind of preaching, whether it's religious or not. If someone is trying to tell everyone else how to live, they're speaking from the pulpit, whether they're preaching the embrace of root vegetables or warning us that we will be attacked by aliens.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pulpit pulpits

As a Christian minister of an American Baptist congregation, I’ve spent more than 20 years in a pulpit — long enough to know the difference between protecting a church and conscripting one.

From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2026

The state superintendent also typically takes advantage of the bully pulpit on education issues.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2026

The surgeon general wields a powerful bully pulpit for health advice, and helps oversee the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 1, 2026

They can make major unilateral decisions — such as welcoming federal troops into California cities — and command a bully pulpit to drive public opinion and policy, including through statewide ballot measures.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 9, 2026

Behind the pulpit a big man in black robes gave the signal and everyone rose to sing “Amazing Grace,” which had apparently been one of Stan’s favorites.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx

Clergy preached independence from their pulpits, framing liberty and equality as moral obligations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 9, 2026

Photographers climbing medieval pulpits to get better angles could cause a major distraction, she said.

From BBC ● Mar. 4, 2024

At the end of the day, only the preachers in the pulpits can reach the evangelical faithful.

From Salon ● Feb. 22, 2024

On Sundays, Spanish is heard from the pulpits of six churches.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 23, 2023

Why, it’s them that, not content with printin’ lies on paper an’ preachin’ them out of pulpits, does want to be cuttin’ them on the tombstones.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

Related Words

• lectern
• podium