Lectern
//ˈlɛktə(ɹ)n// noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A stand with a slanted top used to support a Bible from which passages are read during a church service.
- 2 desk or stand with a slanted top used to hold a text at the proper height for a lecturer wordnet
- 3 A similar stand to support a lecturer's notes.
Example
More examples"I set my notes on the lectern, adjusted the microphone, and awkwardly set about presenting to the class a summary of my last month of research."
Etymology
15th century partial re-Latinization of early 14th century Middle English lettorne, lettron, from Old French leitrun, from Medieval Latin lectrinum, from Late Latin lectrum, from lectus (from whence also lecture), form of Latin legō (“I read”).
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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.