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 Plait
pedestaled or pedestalled; pedestaling or pedestalling
: to place on or furnish with a pedestal
Examples of pedestal in a Sentence
Noun
the pedestal of a vase
Recent Examples on the WebJp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 30 May 2024
Seeing her in that moment knocked down a little bit from that pedestal.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 May 2024
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 all Example Sentences for pedestal 
Noun
Discovery: 'Lead by Example' (Exclusive) Michael and Moll eventually discovered the Progenitors’ inner sanctum: a surreal pasture of yellow flowers with a mysterious interface atop a pedestal.
—Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 30 May 2024
Seeing her in that moment knocked down a little bit from that pedestal.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 May 2024
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 all Example Sentences for pedestal
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pedestal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pedestal
Cite this Entry
“Pedestal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pedestal. Accessed 5 Jun. 2024.
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