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

Trump hears about flooding, landslides in western North Carolina Bright spoke at a lectern with the presidential seal set up on a patch of muddy gravel in Swannanoa, North Carolina, where a temporary plywood floor had been laid. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025

But on the evening of Mr. Biden’s first day in office, the page showed Mr. Biden at a lectern, hands folded, in front of a large American flag. —Tim Balk, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025

On a windswept waterfront lot in West Palm Beach last April, billionaire real estate developer Stephen Ross stood behind a lectern to tout his company’s new South Flagler House, a high-end, luxury condominium project with 108 units housed in two 28-story towers. —David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2025

This is a great job, an amazing opportunity to be standing at this podium, behind this lectern, to go back and forth with all of you and, and speak on behalf of this president, the president of the United States. —Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025

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