Pew

Pew is primarily a common noun referring to a long bench seat in a church or chapel, designed to accommodate worshippers. Pew design varies by tradition and region; they are typically arranged in rows facing the altar or pulpit and may include kneelers, book racks, and sometimes hymnals. The term has been in English since the Middle Ages and is closely associated with church architecture.

Pew also refers to Pew Research Center, a prominent American nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank established in the early 2000s and funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts. The center conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, and content analysis on topics such as politics, social issues, religion, and media. Its surveys and reports are widely cited by journalists, policymakers, and scholars. The organization aims to provide information on public attitudes and trends to inform the public and decision-makers, maintaining editorial independence while relying on transparent methodologies.

Pew is also a surname. In addition, the onomatopoeic word “pew” is used in comics and captions to imitate the sound of a gun or laser, often written as “pew pew.”