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

Marking her 306th time at the briefing room lectern, Jean-Pierre took a moment from the day’s big news, the ceasefire deal reached between Israel and Hamas, to reflect on her tenure. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2025

Throughout the 1760s, patriots met there to protest royal taxes, and in 1773, Samuel Adams initiated the Boston Tea Party from the hall’s lectern. —Michael Snyder, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025

There are the three podiums for the game’s contestants, Jennings’ lectern, and the massive neon Jeopardy! sign in its iconic font. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2025

Kavanaugh kept returning to the question — that is, until Justice Amy Coney Barrett beat him to it by the time the last lawyer took the lectern. —Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 28 Dec. 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