pews

Noun

pew (plural pews)

1. One of the long benches in a church, seating several persons, usually fixed to the floor and facing the chancel.
   • In many churches some pews are reserved for either clerical or liturgical officials such as canons, or for prominent families.
2. (broadly, in plural) The congregation of a church.
   • I think a lot of Americans are actually searching for a church that’s relatively apolitical in the pulpit and the pews.2026 January 22, Ross Douthat, quoting Ryan Burge, “America’s Very Weird Religious Future”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC
3. An enclosed compartment in a church which provides seating for a group of people, often a prominent family.
   • At St. Patrick’s Cathedral, firefighters in dress blues and white gloves escorted families to the pews for a memorial service, led by Mr. Bloomberg, to honor the 343 Fire Department employees killed on 9/11.2006 September 11, Sheryl Gay Stolberg, “Bush Mourns 9/11 at Ground Zero as N.Y. Remembers”, in The New York Times
4. Any structure shaped like a church pew, such as a stall, formerly used by money lenders, etc.; a box in a theatre; or a pen or sheepfold.
   • [H]e, a lollard indeed over his elbovv-cuſhion, in almoſt the ſeaventh part of 40. or 50. years teaches them ſcarce half the principles of religion; and his ſheep oft-times ſit the vvhile to as little purpoſe of benifiting as the ſheep in thir pues at Smithfield; […]1659, J[ohn] M[ilton], Considerations Touching the Likeliest Means to Remove Hirelings out of the Church. […], London: […] T[homas] N[ewcombe] for L[ivewell] Chapman […], →OCLC, pages 57–58
5. (colloquial, humorous) A chair; a seat.
   • Pull up a pew.

See all 9 meanings of pew