Podium vs. Lectern vs. Pulpit: What Are the Differences?
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
Podium vs. Lectern vs. Pulpit: What Are the Differences?
Let’s say you need to stand and deliver a speech tonight. Will you be behind the podium, lectern, or pulpit?
Most of us have heard these words, and we generally understand they relate to public speaking. However, some of us might be uncertain about the distinctions among a podium, a lectern, and a pulpit.
We’ll help to clarify that in this post.
What Is a Podium?
Traditionally, a podium is an elevated platform that a person stands on. The word relates to the Greek prefix pod, which means “foot.” The raised area for a public presentation is technically the podium.
In today’s usage, however, we also refer to a podium as a stand for public speaking, usually put in place for notes, a microphone, or possibly a bottle of water. It might include a visual element (e.g., a presidential seal) or support audiovisual aids as well.
This modern usage of the word brings us to the next question.
What Is a Lectern?
A lectern is a stand that supports books, notes, or sometimes a microphone. It is generally meant to be stood behind while one delivers a speech or set of remarks. We often see politicians, organizational leaders, and legal representatives stand behind a lectern when addressing the public.
You might already be intuiting where the confusion can arise. Our contemporary use of podium has made it synonymous with lectern. That is why the two words have become so interchangeable.
Podium or Lectern
Most people say “podium” when they mean “lectern.” One stands on a podium; one stands behind a lectern.
A podium is a raised platform. A speaker or conductor or performer stands on the podium for increased visibility.
The words lectern and lecture are both from the Latin legere, meaning “to read.” Speakers delivering a lecture place their notes on the slanted surface of the lectern.
What Is a Pulpit?
The most distinctive of the three words, a pulpit is traditionally a raised and enclosed platform. Pulpits have long been associated with priests or pastors delivering sermons at churches.
As with a podium or lectern, a pulpit might have space for notes, water, or a microphone. However, a pulpit tends to be larger and more ornate. It also often surrounds the speaker rather than just being in front.
So Which Word Do You Need?
In most current settings, the terms podium and lectern can be used interchangeably. If your employer or instructor has a preference, simply follow that guideline. If they don’t have a first choice, you can include the one that feels best to you in the context you are using it.
You will likely use pulpit most often in reference to speaking or presenting at a church or religious service. Beyond the fact that a pulpit’s meaning and physical characteristics differ from the other two words’, using it mainly in that framework can help others differentiate it even more.
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Thanks for clearly differentiating among “podium,” “lectern,” and “pulpit.” I’ve always wanted to be able to explain the difference. Now I think I can successfully.
Thank you for the definition and clarity of the meaning of podium and lectern. This was very informative. When I do my public speaking I know exactly what to ask for by its name.
I have always used lectern to describe the piece of furniture used by a person giving a lecture, e.g., a teacher or professor.
Here’s a further complication. The Catholic Church uses the term “ambo” as described in the following article from Aleteia.org.
What’s the difference between an ambo and a pulpit?
Published on 01/23/18
Philip Kosloski
They look the same, but were traditionally used for two separate purposes.
In Church lingo, people often talk about ambos and pulpits interchangeably. Historically, however, these two terms were used to identify different things, and each had its own specific purpose in the liturgy.
Ambo
The word ambo comes from a Greek word meaning “step” or “elevation.” Since the 4th century Christians were accustomed to using a raised platform during Mass to chant or read the Epistle (typically a reading from St. Paul’s letters) and Gospel. Some historians believe it is connected to the platform used by Jewish rabbis to read the scriptures before the people. Spiritually it is derived from the action of Jesus when he “went up on the mountain, and … opened his mouth and taught them” (Matthew 5:1,2).
As the liturgy developed two ambos were put in place to distinguish between the Epistle and the Gospel. The Epistle ambo was placed on the southern side of the sanctuary, while the Gospel ambo was located on the northern side. Ambos were designed in various ways, always with a place for the book to be read with several steps leading up to it. By the 14th century the use of ambos was in a steady decline.
Immediately succeeding the ambo in liturgical function was the pulpit. The word stems from the Latin pulpitum, and was originally used to denote a theatrical stage. In medieval churches it became a platform primarily used for preaching. The pulpit was located in the center of the nave (the place where the people stood) and was highly elevated to allow the priest to adequately address his congregation.
After the Protestant Reformation pulpits became a central feature of Protestant churches, while in Catholic churches the use of pulpits steadily declined.
In the Catholic Church both ambo and pulpit were no longer in general use by the 19th century, especially in newly constructed churches. Instead there would often be a moveable lectern that was brought out for sermons and taken away for the remainder of Mass.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal has the following instructions regarding the use of ambos in churches today:
It is appropriate that generally this place be a stationary ambo and not simply a movable lectern. The ambo must be located in keeping with the design of each church in such a way that the ordained ministers and readers may be clearly seen and heard by the faithful.
From the ambo only the readings, the Responsorial Psalm, and the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) are to be proclaimed; likewise it may be used for giving the Homily and for announcing the intentions of the Universal Prayer. The dignity of the ambo requires that only a minister of the word should stand at it.