bench
a long seat for several people: a bench in the park.
a seat occupied by an official, especially a judge.
such a seat as a symbol of the office and dignity of an individual judge or the judiciary.
the office or dignity of various other officials, or the officials themselves.
the seat on which the players of a team sit during a game while not playing.
the quality and number of the players of a team who are usually used as substitutes: A weak bench hurt their chances for the championship.
the quality and number of professionals or experts in reserve, to be called upon as needed: The country has a deep bench of scientists.
Informal. bench press.
Also called workbench. the strong worktable of a carpenter or other mechanic.
a platform on which animals are placed for exhibition, especially at a dog show.
a contest or exhibition of dogs; dog show.
Physical Geography. a shelflike area of rock with steep slopes above and below.
Mining. a step or working elevation in a mine.
to furnish with benches.
to seat on a bench or on the bench: an election that benched him in the district court.
to place (a show dog or other animal) in exhibition.
to cut away the working faces of (a mine or quarry) in benches.
Sports. to remove from a game or keep from participating in a game: to be benched because of poor hitting.
Idioms about bench
on the bench,
serving as a judge in a court of law; presiding.
Sports. (of a player) not participating in play, either for part or all of a game.
Origin of bench
1Other words from bench
- bench·less, adjective
- un·bench, verb (used with object)
Other definitions for Bench (2 of 2)
Johnny, born 1947, U.S. baseball player.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use bench in a sentence
To get into the starting position, consider moving your weights to a bench first and then lifting them into position rather than lifting them directly from the floor.
Tiana Mangakahia watches a November 2019 Syracuse game from the bench next to teammate Taleah Washington.
After Beating Cancer, This Syracuse Point Guard Is Coming For The Record Books | Howard Megdal | November 17, 2020 | FiveThirtyEightUnlike his first two games this season, when he came off the bench after taking limited reps in practice, Smith will get all the practice reps with Washington’s first-team offense this week.
So much has changed since Alex Smith last started for Washington. The offense might, too. | Nicki Jhabvala | November 12, 2020 | Washington PostIf you see vendors hustling between tables and mostly Moroccans filling the benches, you’ll know you’re in the right spot.
The raised platform also gives you a bench to sit on when you’re changing, unpacking, or taking off shoes.
A Camp Cot Is the Key to Sleeping Well in the Woods | Graham Averill | November 9, 2020 | Outside Online
"No, no; I'm not hurt," she panted, sinking on the cushioned benching where usually rows of semi-sea-sick people were lying.
The Kentons | William Dean HowellsBefore drawing my remarks to a close, I would briefly indicate the nature of the various machines shown upon the power benching.
The closing of the door behind Northwick roused a little black figure drooping forward on the benching in one corner.
The Quality of Mercy | W. D. Howells
British Dictionary definitions for bench
/ (bɛntʃ) /
a long seat for more than one person, usually lacking a back or arms
a plain stout worktable
the bench (sometimes capital)
a judge or magistrate sitting in court in a judicial capacity
judges or magistrates collectively
sport the seat on which reserve players and officials sit during a game
geology a flat narrow platform of land, esp one marking a former shoreline
a ledge in a mine or quarry from which work is carried out
(in a gymnasium) a low table, which may be inclined, used for various exercises
a platform on which dogs or other domestic animals are exhibited at shows
NZ a hollow on a hillside formed by sheep
to provide with benches
to exhibit (a dog, etc) at a show
NZ to form (a track) up a hill by excavating a flattened area
US and Canadian sport to take or keep (a player) out of a game, often for disciplinary reasons
Origin of bench
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with bench
see on the bench; warm the bench.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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