pew Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun long bench with backs; used in church by the congregation
    church bench.

WordNet

Pew noun
Etymology
OE. pewe, OF. puie parapet, balustrade, balcony, fr. L. podium an elevated place, a jutty, balcony, a parapet or balcony in the circus, where the emperor and other distinguished persons sat, Gr. , dim. of , , foot; -- hence the Latin sense of a raised place (orig. as a rest or support for the foot). See Foot, and cf. Podium, Poy.
Definitions
  1. One of the compartments in a church which are separated by low partitions, and have long seats upon which several persons may sit; -- sometimes called slip. Pews were originally made square, but are now usually long and narrow.
  2. Any structure shaped like a church pew, as a stall, formerly used by money lenders, etc.; a box in theater; a pen; a sheepfold. Obs. Pepys. Milton. Dickens.
Pew transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To furnish with pews. R. Ash.

Webster 1913