pedestal
1 of 2noun
ped·es·tal ˈpe-də-stᵊl 
1
a
: the support or foot of a late classic or neoclassical column see column illustration
b
: the base of an upright structure
the pedestal of a statue
2
: base, foundation
Tourism is the island's economic pedestal.
3
: a position of esteem
… be careful not to put celebrities on too high a pedestal.
Phil Plait
Phil Plaitpedestal
2 of 2verb
pedestaled or pedestalled; pedestaling or pedestalling
transitive verb
: to place on or furnish with a pedestal
Example Sentences
Noun the pedestal of a vase
Recent Examples on the Web Jenna Ortiz, The Arizona Republic, 4 Sep. 2022 Even without a final horsepower number to tout, the company is confident of the claim, because Lucid knocked its own car off the pedestal. Tony Quiroga, Car and Driver, 19 Aug. 2022 Rock stars weren't put on a pedestal in Creem, and its reviews could be nasty — along with sexist and profane. David Bauder, ajc, 18 Aug. 2022 In some cases, the platforms that keep their fans engaged are also what knocks them off the pedestal. Josh Wilson, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 The Robinson-era Dodgers stood on a pedestal in the Black community for their inclusivity. Paul Vercammen, CNN, 13 Aug. 2022 Take her off the pedestal in your brain and start living your life on your own terms: your goals, your enjoyment. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 10 July 2022 Meals begin with a signature amuse bouche, a playful nod to the restaurant’s name: a smoked egg yolk with seasonal vegetables in a ceramic eggshell on a stone pedestal. Jay Cheshes, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2022 Once decapitated, the roof can be either transported in an ultrasoft merino wool travel bag or alternatively displayed on a pedestal that will be come with the car. Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 18 Aug. 2022 Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2022 Worse, pedestaling successful Asian immigrant families also often silences and subjugates undocumented Asian immigrants, who represent one out of every seven Asian immigrants living in the United States. Irene Hsu, New Republic, 16 Feb. 2018 See More
Noun
The growing presence of reporters, the shift to national attention, a higher pedestal. Jenna Ortiz, The Arizona Republic, 4 Sep. 2022 Even without a final horsepower number to tout, the company is confident of the claim, because Lucid knocked its own car off the pedestal. Tony Quiroga, Car and Driver, 19 Aug. 2022 Rock stars weren't put on a pedestal in Creem, and its reviews could be nasty — along with sexist and profane. David Bauder, ajc, 18 Aug. 2022 In some cases, the platforms that keep their fans engaged are also what knocks them off the pedestal. Josh Wilson, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 The Robinson-era Dodgers stood on a pedestal in the Black community for their inclusivity. Paul Vercammen, CNN, 13 Aug. 2022 Take her off the pedestal in your brain and start living your life on your own terms: your goals, your enjoyment. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 10 July 2022 Meals begin with a signature amuse bouche, a playful nod to the restaurant’s name: a smoked egg yolk with seasonal vegetables in a ceramic eggshell on a stone pedestal. Jay Cheshes, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2022 Once decapitated, the roof can be either transported in an ultrasoft merino wool travel bag or alternatively displayed on a pedestal that will be come with the car. Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 18 Aug. 2022 Verb
The state of Virginia took that statue and pedestal down in September and deeded the property to the city. Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2022 Worse, pedestaling successful Asian immigrant families also often silences and subjugates undocumented Asian immigrants, who represent one out of every seven Asian immigrants living in the United States. Irene Hsu, New Republic, 16 Feb. 2018 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle French piedestal, from Old Italian piedestallo, from pie di stallo foot of a stall
First Known Use
Noun
1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1648, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing pedestal
Kids Definition
pedestal
noun
ped·es·tal ˈped-əs-tᵊl
1
: a support or foot of an upright structure (as a column, statue, or lamp)
2
: a position of high regard
The students put their teacher on a pedestal.
pedestal
noun
1
as in foot
a bottom part upon which something rests or is supported The museum displayed the jewels on a pedestal inside a glass case. The entrance to the ruined temple was flanked by columns, some of which had fallen from their pedestals. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- foot
- podium
- platform
- stand
- foundation
- pillar
- frame
- column
- arch
- base
- mount
- plinth
- mounting
- frieze
- dais
- cornice
- rostrum
- shore
- stage
- prop
- tribune
- support
- reinforcement
- pilaster
- bracket
- shaft
- peg
- stay
- buttress
- brace
- capital
- spur
- shoring
- cantilever
- socle
- underpinning
- entablature
- bearing
- girder
- bolster
- architrave
- crutch
- stake
- post
- truss
- strut
- stanchion
- stilt
2
as in throne
the position of someone who is treated or regarded as extraordinarily good, successful, etc. There's a tendency to put the person you love on a pedestal. The scandal knocked the beloved actor off his pedestal. Synonyms & Similar Words
- throne
- top
- seat
- pinnacle
- height
- eminence
- account
- respect
- admiration
- worship
- adoration
- estimation
- reverence
- like
- appreciation
- adulation
- praise
- deference
- regard
- idolatry
- love
- use
- veneration
- approbation
- favor
- honor
- shine
- homage
- hero worship
- props
- lionization
- infatuation
- relish
- taste
- preference
- fancy
- enjoyment
- partiality
- acclamation
- fondness
- appetite
- prejudice
- attachment
- awe
- bias
- devotion
- interest
- delight
- wonder
- wonderment
- affection
- amazement
- enthusiasm
- passion
- passion
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- scorn
- condemnation
- disdain
- contempt
- indignation
- disapproval
- disappointment
- disfavor
- unhappiness
- hatred
- disregard
- discontent
- disillusionment
- disenchantment
- opprobrium
- distaste
- disgust
- displeasure
- aversion
- dislike
- hate
- repulsion
- disfavor
- revulsion
- repugnance
- antipathy
- loathing
- nausea
- abomination
- dissatisfaction
- disinclination
- disgruntlement
- displeasure
- disliking
- detestation
- deprecation
Phrases Containing pedestal
- superchic
- superchurch
- superchurches
- supercilia
- superciliaries
- superciliary
- supercilious
- superciliously
- superciliousness
- superciliousnesses
- supercilium
- superciliums
- supercities
- supercity
- supercivilisation
- supercivilisations
- supercivilization
- supercivilizations
- supercivilized
- superclass
- superclasses
- superclean
- superclub
- superclubs
- supercluster