Pedestal meaning : The base or foot of a column, statue, vase, lamp. A place of reverence or honor. A casting secured to the frame of a truck of a railcar and forming a jaw for holding a journal box. A pillow block; a low housing. (bridge building) An iron socket, or support, for the foot of a brace at the end of a truss where it rests on a pier. (steam heating) a pedestal coil, group of connected straight pipes arranged side by side and one above another, used in a radiator. To set or support on (or as if on) a pedestal.