podium

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin podium, from Ancient Greek πόδιον (pódion, “base”), from diminutive of πούς (poús, “foot”). Doublet of pew.

noun

1. A platform on which to stand, as when conducting an orchestra or preaching at a pulpit; any low platform or dais.
2. (sometimes proscribed) A stand used to hold notes when speaking publicly.
3. (sports and other competitions) A steepled platform upon which the three competitors with the best results may stand when being handed their medals or prize.
4. (sports) A result amongst the best three at a competition.
   Red Bull's Thai-British driver Alex Albon took a maiden podium in third. 13 September 2020, Andrew Benson, “Tuscan Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton claims 90th win after incredible race”, in BBC Sport
5. A low wall, serving as a foundation, a substructure, or a terrace wall.
   1. The dwarf wall surrounding the arena of an amphitheatre, from the top of which the seats began.
   2. The masonry under the stylobate of a temple, sometimes a mere foundation, sometimes containing chambers.
6. The lower portion of a high-rise building, typically of several storeys tall and acts as a foundation to the tower(s) above it.
7. (botany, anatomy) A foot or footstalk.

verb

1. (sports, colloquial) To finish in the top three at an event or competition.
   The swimmer podiumed three times at the Olympics.