table
an article of furniture consisting of a flat, slablike top supported on one or more legs or other supports: a kitchen table; an operating table;a pool table.
such a piece of furniture specifically used for serving food to those seated at it.
the food placed on a table to be eaten: She sets a good table.
a group of persons at a table, as for a meal, game, or business transaction.
a gaming table.
a flat or plane surface; a level area.
a tableland or plateau.
a concise list or guide: The table of contents in the front of the book includes chapter names and page numbers.
an arrangement of words, numbers, or signs, or combinations of them, as in parallel columns, to exhibit a set of facts or relations in a definite, compact, and comprehensive form; a synopsis or scheme.
Table, Astronomy. the constellation Mensa.
a flat and relatively thin piece of wood, stone, metal, or other hard substance, especially one artificially shaped for a particular purpose.
Architecture.
a course or band, especially of masonry, having a distinctive form or position.
a distinctively treated surface on a wall.
a smooth, flat board or slab on which inscriptions may be put.
tables,
the tablets on which certain collections of laws were anciently inscribed: the tables of the Decalogue.
the laws themselves.
Anatomy. the inner or outer hard layer or any of the flat bones of the skull.
Music. a sounding board.
Jewelry.
the upper horizontal surface of a faceted gem.
a gem with such a surface.
to place (a card, money, etc.) on a table.
to enter in or form into a table or list.
Parliamentary Procedure.
Chiefly U.S. to lay aside (a proposal, resolution, etc.) for future discussion, usually with a view to postponing or shelving the matter indefinitely.
British. to present (a proposal, resolution, etc.) for discussion.
of, relating to, or for use on a table: a table lamp.
suitable for serving at a table or for eating or drinking: table grapes.
Idioms about table
on the table, Parliamentary Procedure.
U.S. postponed.
British. submitted for consideration.
turn the tables, to cause a reversal of an existing situation, especially with regard to gaining the upper hand over a competitor, rival, antagonist, etc.: Fortune turned the tables and we won. We turned the tables on them and undersold them by 50 percent.
Origin of table
1Other words from table
- ta·ble·less, adjective
- un·ta·bled, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use table in a sentence
The influx of talent behind the tables and in the showrooms was undeniable.
Will Hyman Roth Return to Havana With Normalized Relations? | John L. Smith | December 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAfter all, there were tables for press while, at ALEC, we were told the “press was evil.”
Houses sit together at their tables in dining halls under maroon banners emblazoned with their names.
Galeria is a collage of quotations: columns, chrome black tables, panels with English paisley fabric.
You might assume that when the Republican candidate is a woman, the tables are turned.
The weight percentage can be found by referring to Purdy's tables, given later.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddThey had moved away from the tables now, and were walking very slowly down the room.
Rosemary in Search of a Father | C. N. WilliamsonWe had three long tables which Liszt arranged to suit himself, his own place being in the middle.
Music-Study in Germany | Amy FayThe tea was all laid on tables in the garden, and the sausages were cooking over a fire made on the grounds.
Music-Study in Germany | Amy FayThe dining tables had all been removed to one end of the hall, and the chairs ranged about in rows and in clusters.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate Chopin
British Dictionary definitions for table
/ (ˈteɪbəl) /
a flat horizontal slab or board, usually supported by one or more legs, on which objects may be placed: Related adjective: mensal
such a slab or board on which food is served: we were six at table
(as modifier): table linen
(in combination): a tablecloth
food as served in a particular household or restaurant: a good table
such a piece of furniture specially designed for any of various purposes: a backgammon table; bird table
a company of persons assembled for a meal, game, etc
(as modifier): table talk
any flat or level area, such as a plateau
a rectangular panel set below or above the face of a wall
architect another name for cordon (def. 4)
an upper horizontal facet of a cut gem
music the sounding board of a violin, guitar, or similar stringed instrument
an arrangement of words, numbers, or signs, usually in parallel columns, to display data or relations: a table of contents
a tablet on which laws were inscribed by the ancient Romans, the Hebrews, etc
palmistry an area of the palm's surface bounded by four lines
printing a slab of smooth metal on which ink is rolled to its proper consistency
either of the two bony plates that form the inner and outer parts of the flat bones of the cranium
any thin flat plate, esp of bone
on the table put forward for discussion and acceptance: we currently have our final offer on the table
turn the tables on someone to cause a complete reversal of circumstances, esp to defeat or get the better of someone who was previously in a stronger position
to place on a table
British to submit (a bill, etc) for consideration by a legislative body
US to suspend discussion of (a bill, etc) indefinitely or for some time
to enter in or form into a list; tabulate
Origin of table
1Derived forms of table
- tableful, noun
- tableless, adjective
Collins 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 table
see clear out (the table); lay one's cards on the table; on the table; set the table; turn the tables; under the table; wait at table.
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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