table

1 of 3

noun

ta·​ble ˈtā-bəl 

plural tables

often attributive

1

a

: a piece of furniture consisting of a smooth flat slab fixed on legs

b(1)

: a group of people assembled at or as if at a table

(2)

: a legislative or negotiating session

the bargaining table

c(1)

: a supply or source of food

(2)

: an act or instance of assembling to eat : meal

sit down to table

2

a

: a systematic arrangement of data usually in rows and columns for ready reference

b

: a condensed enumeration : list

a table of contents

3

: tablet sense 1a

4

a

tables plural : backgammon

b

: one of the two leaves of a backgammon board or either half of a leaf

5

: stringcourse

6

: something that resembles a table especially in having a plane surface: such as

a

: the upper flat surface of a cut precious stone see brilliant illustration

b(1)

: tableland

(2)

: a horizontal stratum

see also:

off the table on the table under the table

table

2 of 3

verb

tabled; tabling ˈtā-b(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to remove (something, such as a parliamentary motion) from consideration indefinitely

b

British : to place on the agenda

c

: to put on a table

2

: to enter in a table

table

3 of 3

adjective

1

: suitable for a table or for use at a table

a table lamp

2

: suitable for serving at a table

table grapes

3

: proper for conduct at a table

table manners

Synonyms of table

Noun

• counter
• board

Examples of table in a Sentence

Noun

They were sitting at the dining table.

She reserved a table for two at the restaurant.

He had the attention of the entire table.

The table shows the salary of each employee.

Verb

The committee tabled the issue until the next meeting.

She plans to table a motion for debate in Parliament.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible. —Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026

Best Wayfair Patio Deals Since this is a summer sale, there are, of course, tons of patio deals to be had, like this classic wicker set with a love seat, two chairs, and a glass-top table for serving food and drinks. —Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 13 June 2026

Verb

The vote took place after a long debate between trustees and the district about tabling the item until more research could be done on other options presented by trustee Chris Coker. —Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026

Yet that offer will have to be raised after Real Madrid tabled $175 million (€150 million) for him midweek. —Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

Adjective

Having stabilised as mid-table regulars, this was an opportunity to capitalise on a muddled middle of the table. —The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 26 May 2026

Having failed to qualify six times in a row, Latvia has enjoyed mid-table respectability in the last two finals. —Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English tabule & Anglo-French table; both from Latin tabula board, tablet, list

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing table

• at table
• bed table
• card table
• changing table
• cocktail table
• coffee-table
• coffee-table book
• console table
• contingency table
• dinner table
• drawing table
• dressing table
• drink (someone) under the table
• end table
• examination table
• farm-to-table
• gateleg table
• head table
• high table
• lay on the table
• lay/put (all/all of) one's cards on the table
• league table
• life table
• light table
• Lord's table
• mortality table
• multiplication table
• night table
• off the table
• on the table
• operating table
• Parsons table
• Pembroke table
• periodic table
• picnic table
• pier table
• pin-table
• plane table
• refectory table
• round table
• run the table
• sand table
• side table
• steam table
• sweep the table
• table d'hôte
• table football
• table-hop
• table linen
• table manners
• table mat
• table of contents
• table of organization
• table-rapping
• table salt
• table soccer
• table sugar
• table talk
• table-tapping
• table tennis
• table-top
• table wine
• tea table
• the negotiating table
• times table
• training table
• trestle table
• truth table
• under the table
• wait at table
• water table

Rhymes for table

• able
• chaebol
• fable
• label
• sable
• stabile
• stable
• allocable
• educable
• irrigable
• purchasable
• thermostable

Kids Definition

table

1 of 2 noun

ta·​ble ˈtā-bəl 

1

: tablet sense 1a

2

a

: a piece of furniture with a smooth flat top fixed on legs

b

: food served at a meal

c

: a group of people assembled at a table

3

a

: an orderly arrangement of facts or figures in rows or columns for quick reference

a table of weights

the multiplication table

b

: a short list

the table of contents

4

: plateau sense 1

table

2 of 2 verb

tabled; tabling -b(ə-)liŋ 

1

: tabulate

2

: to remove a parliamentary motion from consideration for an unspecified period of time

3

: to put on a table

Medical Definition

table

noun

ta·​ble ˈtā-bəl 

1

: a piece of furniture consisting of a smooth flat slab fixed on legs

especially : one used for examining or operating

2

: either of the two layers of compact bone of the skull which are separated by cancellous diploe