Pronunciation: [pjˈuː] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "pew" is straightforward, but it can be tricky to pronounce for non-native English speakers. In IPA phonetic transcription, "pew" is written as /pjuː/. This means that the word starts with the "p" sound, followed by a "yoo" sound, and then ends with a long "oo" sound. It's common to find pews in places of worship or in lecture halls as seating for an audience. Remember that "pew" rhymes with "few" and "cue."
Pew (noun) refers to a specific type of seating installed in churches, synagogues, concert halls, or other places of worship. It typically consists of long benches with a backrest, usually made of wood, arranged in rows facing the pulpit or altar. Pews are designed to accommodate a congregation or audience during religious ceremonies, services, or performances.
Pews serve the purpose of providing a comfortable and organized seating arrangement for worshippers or attendees, allowing them to sit in an ordered manner. The design of pews often incorporates straight lines, uniform heights, and consistent spacing to facilitate an organized layout within the religious space.
Historically, pews were mainly reserved for members of the clergy, nobility, or higher social classes, while ordinary worshippers sat on simple stools or stood. However, modern practice typically allows the general congregation to occupy pews as well.
Pews can be found in various styles and sizes, displaying different levels of ornamentation or simplicity depending on the architectural style of the place of worship. Some pews may have additional features, such as kneelers, prayer hooks, or book holders. The term "pew" can also be used in a more general sense to refer to any long bench or seating arrangement, not limited to religious settings.
• An enclosed seat in a church or chapel.
• To fit or furnish with pews.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "pew" is derived from the Old French word "pui", meaning "balcony" or "raised place". It originated from the Latin word "podium", which has a similar meaning of a raised platform or stage. Originally, the term "pew" referred to a raised enclosure or seating area in a church, specifically for the clergy or important members of the congregation. Over time, it came to refer to the enclosed seating for all members of a church congregation.
