1. 3-legged support: a frame or stand with three legs that are usually collapsible, used for supporting something such as a camera, compass, theodolite, or other piece of equipment
2. 3-legged household object: a piece of furniture with three legs, e.g. a pot, cauldron, stool, or table
[Early 17th century. < Latin tripod-, stem of tripus< Greek tripous "three-footed" < pous "foot"]