Etymology Map
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Podium

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a small platform for a speaker or winner

Where does the word "podium" come from? It comes from Greek podion, passing through Latin before entering English (1740s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
podion
Greek · ancient
"base, pedestal"
Greek, from 'pous', foot
2
Stage 2 of 3
podium
Latin · ancient
"raised platform"
a raised base in a Roman amphitheatre
3
Stage 3 of 3
podium
English · 1740s
"raised base"
Olympic podiums date from the 1930s
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Read the full story

Podium’s story begins in Greek: podion meant “base, pedestal.” Greek, from 'pous', foot. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as podium. A raised base in a Roman amphitheatre. It reached English by 1740s as podium. Olympic podiums date from the 1930s. Today, podium means a small platform for a speaker or winner.