tripod

noun

tri·​pod ˈtrī-ˌpäd 

1

: a three-legged stand (as for a camera)

2

: a stool, table, or altar with three legs

3

: a vessel (such as a cauldron) resting on three legs

tripod adjective

or tripodal

ˈtri-pə-dᵊl 

ˈtrī-ˌpä-

Examples of tripod in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the attic, an antique William IV mahogany armchair sits next to an antique English mahogany tray top tripod table stool. —Troy J. McMullen, Architectural Digest, 17 Jan. 2025

What’s The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights? To get the best photographs of aurora borealis, National Geographic recommends using a wide-angle lens, a low shutter speed and a tripod for stability. —Conor Murray, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025

In just a few days, the tripod pup has become an internet sensation, and the TikTok clip has amassed over 1,600 comments so far. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024

Using binoculars with more than 10x magnification without a tripod or stable support can result in blurred images because humans are simply incapable of holding them steady enough by hand. —Andrew Liszewski, The Verge, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin tripod-, tripus, from Greek tripod-, tripous, from tripod-, tripous, adjective, three-footed, from tri- + pod-, pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

tripod

noun

tri·​pod ˈtrī-ˌpäd 

1

: something (as a container or stool) resting on three legs

2

: a three-legged stand (as for a camera)

Medical Definition

tripod

noun

tri·​pod ˈtrī-ˌpäd 

: a bone having three processes