Pedestal

Pronunciation

Origin

From Middle French piédestal, from Italian piedistallo (pie "foot" di "of" stallo "stand") "footstall".

Full definition of pedestal

Noun

1. (architecture) The base or foot of a column, statue, vase, lamp, or the like; the part on which an upright work stands.
2. (figuratively) A place of reverence or honor.He has put his mother on a pedestal. You can't say a word against her.
3. (rail transport) A casting secured to the frame of a truck of a railcar and forming a jaw for holding a journal box.
4. (machining) A pillow block; a low housing.
5. (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.
6. (steam heating) a pedestal coil, group of connected straight pipes arranged side by side and one above another, used in a radiator.

Derived terms

Verb

1. To set or support on (or as if on) a pedestal.