tripod

noun

tri·​pod ˈtrī-ˌpäd 

1

: a three-legged stand (as for a camera)

2

: a stool, table, or altar with three legs

3

: a vessel (such as a cauldron) resting on three legs

tripod adjective

or tripodal

ˈtri-pə-dᵊl 

ˈtrī-ˌpä-

Examples of tripod in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This tough little camera is waterproof and compact, which opens up all sorts of creative mounting possibilities, and today's deal actually includes a standard tripod mount. —Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 3 Mar. 2025

The basic idea here is to set it up on a tripod or flat on the ground, connect to an app, select a target and the Dwarf III will do the rest. —New Atlas, 28 Feb. 2025

Make sure your tripod has rubber feet to increase stability. —Matt Morris, Space.com, 27 Dec. 2024

The base features a single-hinge flip-open clip to place the camera on top of a screen and a screw mount for a tripod. —PCMAG, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin tripod-, tripus, from Greek tripod-, tripous, from tripod-, tripous, adjective, three-footed, from tri- + pod-, pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for tripod

• abroad
• applaud
• backboard
• ballade
• defraud
• ephod
• facade
• guffawed
• outlawed
• ramrod
• roughshod
• slipshod

Kids Definition

tripod

noun

tri·​pod ˈtrī-ˌpäd 

1

: something (as a container or stool) resting on three legs

2

: a three-legged stand (as for a camera)

Medical Definition

tripod

noun

tri·​pod ˈtrī-ˌpäd 

: a bone having three processes