What do you call the podium or tall stand with a sloping top used by speakers to place their notes?

A podium or tall stand with a sloping top that speakers use to hold their notes is specifically referred to as a lectern. This term indicates a piece of furniture designed for presenters, allowing them to have their notes at an accessible angle for reading while also being visible to their audience.

In contrast, a pulpit typically refers to a raised platform used in a religious context for preaching, while a stage is a large area where performances or presentations occur, intended for the audience to view. A platform can denote a variety of elevated surfaces for standing or presenting but lacks the specific design features that characterize a lectern, such as the sloping top and intended use for holding notes during public speaking.