# pew

> English word · Noun · IPA /pjuː/ · frequency rank #16,994

## Definitions
1. One of the long benches in a church, seating several persons, usually fixed to the floor and facing the chancel.
2. The congregation of a church.
3. An enclosed compartment in a church which provides seating for a group of people, often a prominent family.
4. Any structure shaped like a church pew, such as a stall, formerly used by money lenders, etc.; a box in a theatre; or a pen or sheepfold.
5. A chair; a seat.

## Etymology
From Middle English pewe, from Old French puiee, puïe (“balustrade, balcony”), from Latin podia, plural of podium (“parapet, podium”), from Ancient Greek πόδιον (pódion, “little foot”), from πούς (poús, “foot”). Doublet of podia.

## Easily confused with
- **PM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pew-vs-pm)
- **PP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pew-vs-pp)
- **PR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pew-vs-pr)
- **pt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pew-vs-pt)
- **PS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pew-vs-ps)
- **po** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pew-vs-po)
- **pi** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pew-vs-pi)
- **PG** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pew-vs-pg)
- **PL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pew-vs-pl)
- **PF** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pew-vs-pf)
- **PU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pew-vs-pu)
- **PK** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pew-vs-pk)
- **PV** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pew-vs-pv)
- **PJ** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pew-vs-pj)
- **PW** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pew-vs-pw)
- **PX** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pew-vs-px)
- **put** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pew-vs-put)
- **pro** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pew-vs-pro)
- **pop** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pew-vs-pop)
- **pot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pew-vs-pot)

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/pew