pedestal

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A base or support on which a statue, column, vase, or other object stands.

   Grammar: Used about physical supports: the statue stands on a pedestal.

   Patterns

   • on a pedestal
   • a pedestal for something

   The marble statue stood on a tall granite pedestal.

   The museum set the vase on a glass pedestal.

   Someone had climbed onto the empty pedestal.

2. 2nounusually singularfigurative

   A position of great admiration or respect, often higher than a person deserves.

   Grammar: Mostly used in the idiom put someone on a pedestal.

   Patterns

   • put someone on a pedestal
   • knock someone off a pedestal
   • fall off a pedestal

   Fans put the singer on a pedestal and ignored her flaws.

   He felt trapped on a pedestal of his own success.

   The scandal knocked the senator off his pedestal.

3. 3nouncountable

   A single central support that holds up a sink, table, or toilet bowl.

   Grammar: Used about household fittings: a pedestal sink.

   Patterns

   • pedestal sink
   • pedestal table

   The bathroom has a white pedestal sink.

   A round pedestal table filled the corner.

Word forms

Common combinations

put someone on a pedestal

Don't put your heroes on a pedestal.

fall off a pedestal

The coach fell off his pedestal after the loss.

knock someone off a pedestal

The article knocked the founder off his pedestal.

stone pedestal

A stone pedestal held the bronze bust.

pedestal sink

We installed a pedestal sink in the guest bathroom.

Synonyms and how they differ

plinth

Plinth is more British and technical, a square slab under a statue or column.

stand

Stand is general and used for any support.

base

Base is the lowest part of anything, not specifically for display.

platform

Platform suggests a raised flat area where people or things stand.

Word family

pedestal verb

to put on a pedestal, rare

pedestrian noun

unrelated in meaning, but visually similar

Commonly confused: pedestal or pedestrian? pedestal or plinth?

Practice

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