# pulpit

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈpʊlpɪt/ · frequency rank #21,629

## Definitions
1. A raised platform in a church, sometimes enclosed, where the minister or preacher stands when giving the sermon; also, the lectern on such a platform.
2. Activity associated with or usually performed from a church pulpit; preaching, sermons, religious teaching.
3. The preaching profession, office, or role in general; the pastorate, the priesthood, the ministry.
4. Preachers collectively; clergy; the priesthood.
5. An individual or particular preaching position or role; a pastorate.
6. Bully pulpit.
7. Any lectern, podium, dais, or platform for an orator or public speaker.
8. The railing at the bow of a boat, which sometimes extends past the deck; also called bow pulpit. The railing at the stern is sometimes called the stern pulpit or the pushpit.
9. A bow platform for harpooning.
10. A plane's cockpit.

## Etymology
From Middle English pulpit, from Old French pulpite and Latin pulpitum (“platform”). Doublet of pulpitum.

## Easily confused with
- **pupil** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pulpit-vs-pupil)
- **puppet** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pulpit-vs-puppet)
- **pundit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pulpit-vs-pundit)
- **pulp** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pulp-vs-pulpit)

## Common misspellings (9)
`plupit`, `ppulpit`, `pulipt`, `pullpit`, `pulpitt`, `pulppit`, `pulpti`, `puplit`, `uplpit`

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