Podium

architecture · speaking · performance · design

Buildings can rest on podiums. In architecture, a large podium is sometimes built as a foundation to raise an entire building up from the ground, making it more impressive and visible.

Conductors lead from above. Orchestra conductors stand on a podium so everyone in the orchestra can see their hand movements and follow the music together.

Speakers gain the high ground. Public speakers often stand on a podium to be seen and heard better by their audience in a large room or hall.

Confusing with lecterns. In North America, the word podium is now often used to mean a lectern, which is the stand you put papers on while speaking, even though they are technically different things.