lectern

noun

lec·tern ˈlek-tərn

: a stand used to support a book or script in a convenient position for a standing reader or speaker

especially : one from which scripture lessons are read in a church service

Examples of lectern in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Governor Kathy Hochul took to the lectern today at her midtown offices on Third Avenue to unpause the program, now with its toll set at $9 instead of $15, a 40 percent cut the governor was very eager to tout. —

Nolan Hicks, Curbed, 14 Nov. 2024 Brandon Aiyuk stood at the lectern at the San Francisco 49ers facility a happy man after agreeing to his lucrative contract extension to remain in the Bay Area. —

Scott Thompson, Fox News, 4 Sep. 2024 The claim: Biden wandered off into Amazon rainforest A Nov. 17 Instagram video (direct link, archive link) shows President Joe Biden standing behind a lectern in a rainforest then turning and walking away. —

Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024 Chad Steele, who runs media relations for the Ravens, then cut short John Harbaugh’s comments from the lectern. —

Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lectern

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lettorne, from Anglo-French leitrun, from Medieval Latin lectrinum, from Late Latin lectrum, from Latin legere to read — more at legend

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of lectern was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century