lectern

/ˈlɛktərn/

/ˈlɛktən/

Other forms: lecterns

When the President of The United States gives a speech, he often stands at a wooden lectern featuring the presidential seal. A lectern is a stand on which you can place notes or papers while you lecture.

Lecterns often feature a sloped top and a little lamp to make reading from a paper or notes easier. The word lectern comes from the Latin word legere which means "to read." Lecterns serve another purpose for nervous readers — they offer a good hiding place for shaking hands.

Definitions of lectern

1. noun

   desk or stand with a slanted top used to hold a text at the proper height for a lecturer
   synonyms: reading desk

   type of:

   stand

   a small table for holding articles of various kinds