Pedestal dictionary definition

pedestal

[ped′əs təl]

Use pedestal in a sentence

noun

The definition of a pedestal is a foot, base or support for a column, pillar or lamp.
An example of a pedestal is a pillar on which a piece of art is displayed.

Flowers on a pedestal.

pedestal

noun

the foot or bottom support of a column or pillar
a similar base on a lamp, statue, etc.
a columnlike stand for displaying a piece of sculpture or other decorative article

Origin of pedestal

French piédestal ; from Italian piedestallo ; from piè (; from Classical Latin pes), foot + di, of + stal (; from Germanic an unverified form stal, stall), a rest, place

transitive verb

pedestaled or pedestalled, pedestaling or pedestalling

to place on or furnish with a pedestal

pedestal Idioms

put on a pedestal

or set on a pedestal

to regard with great or excessive admiration; idolize

pedestal

noun

An architectural support or base, as for a column or statue.
A support or foundation.
A position of high regard or adoration.

transitive verb

ped·es·taled, ped·es·tal·ing, ped·es·tals or ped·es·talled or ped·es·tal·ling

To place on or provide with a pedestal.

Origin of pedestal

Obsolete French, from Italian piedistallo : piè, foot (from Latin pēs; see pedi–) + di, of (from Latin dē; see de–) + stallo, stall (of Germanic origin; see stel- in Indo-European roots).

pedestal

Noun

(plural pedestals)

(architecture) The base or foot of a column, statue, vase, lamp, or the like; the part on which an upright work stands.
(figuratively) A place of reverence or honor.
He has put his mother on a pedestal. You can't say a word against her.
(rail transport) A casting secured to the frame of a truck of a railcar and forming a jaw for holding a journal box.
(machining) A pillow block; a low housing.
(bridge building) An iron socket, or support, for the foot of a brace at the end of a truss where it rests on a pier.
(steam heating) a pedestal coil, group of connected straight pipes arranged side by side and one above another, used in a radiator.