How to pronounce pedestal
Say it like PED-uh-stul. Pedestal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PED).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pedestal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PED
- uh
- stul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pedestal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PEDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- stulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of pedestal
American and British speakers say pedestal in essentially the same way: /ˈpɛdəstəl/ in the US and /ˈpɛdəstəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: PED-uh-stul.
What does pedestal mean?
- The base or foot of a column, statue, vase, lamp.
- A place of reverence or honor.“He has put his mother on a pedestal. You can't say a word against her.”
- A casting secured to the frame of a truck of a railcar and forming a jaw for holding a journal box.
- To set or support on (or as if on) a pedestal.
Where does pedestal come from?
Borrowed from Middle French piédestal, itself borrowed from Italian piedistallo (literally “foot stand”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying pedestal
How do you pronounce pedestal?
Say PED-uh-stul. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɛdəstəl/. In British English it is /ˈpɛdəstəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pedestal?
Pedestal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PED). Broken into parts: PED · uh · stul.
Do Americans and Brits say pedestal the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpɛdəstəl/ and the British form is /ˈpɛdəstəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.