1
: a compartment in the auditorium of a church providing seats for several persons
2
: one of the benches with backs and sometimes doors fixed in rows in a church

Examples of pew in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Almost all mainline Christian faiths have seen precipitous drops in the pews, but the smaller presence of Catholicism is particularly evident in Milwaukee, where Catholic churches historically have anchored neighborhoods and acted as virtual community centers. Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 4 Nov. 2024 As their pews empty, northwest Milwaukee Catholic churches collaborate to turn the tide Eva Wen is a data reporter on the investigations team. Eva Wen, Journal Sentinel, 17 Oct. 2024 Five of Portland's leading candidates for mayor sat down in front of hundreds of voters — packed in pews at the First Congregational United Church last night — to answer questions about homelessness, housing and salvaging the public's trust in police. Meira Gebel, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024 Internet Archive founder Brewster Kahle sits in the pews of the great room at the company’s San Francisco headquarters. Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pew 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pewe, from Middle French dialect (Picardy) puie balustrade, from Latin podia, plural of podium parapet, podium, from Greek podion base, diminutive of pod-, pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pew was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near pew

Cite this Entry

“Pew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pew. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

pew

noun
: one of the benches with backs and sometimes doors set in rows in a church

More from Merriam-Webster on pew

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