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

Palin and the now-president stood behind lecterns for their debate in 2008. —Dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger,annie Nova,rebecca Picciotto,josephine Rozzelle,brian Schwartz,ece Yildirim, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2024

As the debate opened, Harris walked up to Trump’s lectern to introduce herself, marking the first time the two had ever met. —Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2024

World & Nation Despite obstacles, Native Americans have the nation’s highest COVID-19 vaccination rate Aug. 12, 2021 Chairman’s message reverberates throughout the community Mason stood at a lectern in March and declared — without any caveats — that the tribes’ land was further poisoned. —Gabe Stern, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2024

At the other lectern, Donald Trump, mugging, could hardly believe his luck. —The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024

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

Kids Definition

lectern

noun

lec·​tern ˈlek-tərn 

: a desk to read from while standing

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