pew

noun

ˈpyü 

1

: a compartment in the auditorium of a church providing seats for several persons

2

: one of the benches with backs and sometimes doors fixed in rows in a church

Examples of pew in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Security camera footage shows Sommers leaving his pew, rushing up to the altar near the end of the service and attempting to strike Rev. David Gaines in the face. —Megan Forrester, ABC News, 7 Feb. 2025

Video shot during a Tuesday service at Spokane’s Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral shows the chaos unfold after the suspect dashes from his pew and charges Rev. David Gaines a little over an hour into the sermon. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025

With stained glass behind them, the two stand between dark wooden pews, peering at something (or someone) just out of frame. —Lauren Huff, EW.com, 30 Jan. 2025

As hundreds poured into the pews of the world’s sixth oldest cathedral, Obama and Trump were seen seated sharing a laugh. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pewe, from Middle French dialect (Picardy) puie balustrade, from Latin podia, plural of podium parapet, podium, from Greek podion base, diminutive of pod-, pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pew

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

pew

noun

ˈpyü 

: one of the benches with backs and sometimes doors set in rows in a church