The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Podium \Po"di*um\, n.; pl. Podia. [L., fr. Gr. ?, dim. of ?,
   ?, foot. See Pew.]
   1. (Arch.) A low wall, serving as a foundation, a
      substructure, or a terrace wall. It is especially employed
      by arch[ae]ologists in two senses:
      (a) The dwarf wall surrounding the arena of an
          amphitheater, from the top of which the seats began.
      (b) The masonry under the stylobate of a temple, sometimes
          a mere foundation, sometimes containing chambers. See
          Illust. of Column.
          [1913 Webster]

   2. (Zool.) The foot.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

podium
    n 1: a platform raised above the surrounding level to give
         prominence to the person on it [syn: dais, podium,
         pulpit, rostrum, ambo, stump, soapbox]