pulpit

Everyday

1. (church) A pulpit is a raised, enclosed stand in a church, from which the priest or minister gives the sermon. tree →
2. The pulpit can mean preachers or religious teaching in general, as in «from the pulpit». tree →

In the lessons

In RE and church visits, pupils learn the parts of a church: altar, font, lectern, pulpit and pews. In stories, a preacher speaks fiercely from the pulpit. Phrases: «from the pulpit», «climb into the pulpit», «a bully pulpit» (a strong position to speak from, USA).

Examples

• The vicar climbed the steps into the pulpit. tree →
• The minister preached from the pulpit every Sunday. tree →
• The old pulpit was carved from dark oak. tree →
• From the pulpit, the priest asked people to help the flood victims. tree →
• On our church visit we saw the font, the altar and the pulpit. tree →
• The pulpit was high so everyone could hear. tree →
• Then he came down from the pulpit, and stood with his musket in front of the princess’s chest. tree →

Note

Countable: pulpits. Said «PUL-pit» (the first u like in «pull»). A «lectern» is a stand for reading the Bible; a pulpit is for preaching, though small churches may use one for both.

In Jewish tradition

In Nehemiah, Ezra the scribe stands on a wooden platform to read the Torah to the people.

Interpretation. Ezra's reading is seen as a model for public Torah reading and teaching. The synagogue has a reading desk called a bimah.

Note

Countable: pulpits. Said «PUL-pit» (the first u like in «pull»). A «lectern» is a stand for reading the Bible; a pulpit is for preaching, though small churches may use one for both.