bench

¹bench

noun \ˈbench\

Definition of BENCH

1

a : a long seat for two or more persons b : a thwart in a boat c (1) : a seat on which the members of an athletic team await a turn or opportunity to play (2) : the reserve players on a team; broadly : a reserve force

2

a : the seat where a judge sits in court b : the place where justice is administered : court c : the office or dignity of a judge <sat on the bench for 20 years> d : the persons who sit as judges

3

a : the office or dignity of an official b : a seat for an official c : the officials occupying a bench

4

a : a long worktable; also : laboratory <bench chemist> <bench test> b : a table forming part of a machine

5

: terrace, shelf: as a : a former wave-cut shore of a sea or lake or floodplain of a river b : a shelf or ridge formed in working an open excavation on more than one level

6

: a compartmented platform on which dogs or cats are kept at a show when not being judged

Examples of BENCH

1. The lawyer asked if he could approach the bench.
2. her recent appointment to the bench

Origin of BENCH

Middle English, from Old English benc; akin to Old High German bank bench

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BENCH

Synonyms: adjudicator, beak [chiefly British], judge, court, jurist, justice, magistrate

Related Words: chief justice, circuit judge, justice of the peace, squire; auditor, master; jurisconsult, jurisprudent

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Rhymes with BENCH

Bench, blench, clench, drench, french, French, Hench, quench, stench, tench, trench, wench, wrench