lectern

Everyday

1. A lectern is a tall stand with a sloping top on which a speaker puts notes or a book while standing up to read or speak. tree →
2. (church) In a church a lectern holds the big Bible, and a reader reads the Bible passages from it. tree →

In the lessons

In school a lectern may stand on the stage in the hall for assemblies and speeches; in church it is where the Bible readings are read aloud, often shaped like an eagle. In stories a lectern shows a formal speech or a lesson. Phrases: "step up to the lectern", "stand at the lectern", "eagle lectern".

Examples

• The head teacher stood at the lectern to give out the prizes. tree →
• I put my speech on the lectern and took a deep breath. tree →
• In our church the lectern is a brass eagle holding the Bible on its wings. tree →
• My sister read the first reading from the lectern on Sunday. tree →
• The professor leaned on the lectern while he talked. tree →
• The president walked up to the lectern with a microphone on it. tree →

Note

Countable: a lectern, lecterns. Do not confuse it with a "pulpit": in many churches the pulpit is a raised, enclosed place for preaching the sermon, while the lectern is a stand for reading. Do not confuse with "lecture" (a talk); a lecturer often uses a lectern.