tray

noun

ˈtrā 

: an open receptacle with a flat bottom and a low rim for holding, carrying, or exhibiting articles

trayful

ˈtrā-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Examples of tray in a Sentence

She carried the tray of food to our table.

a car with several storage trays

Recent Examples on the Web

Both the lid and tray are dishwasher-safe, too. —Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026

Keep a shoe tray close for wet or muddy shoes and a bin to collect each family member's footwear. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 13 Jan. 2026

Just don’t forget that garden parties are never without a tray of finger sandwiches, pitcher of tea, and petit fours, pretty much regardless of theme! —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 Jan. 2026

This chic marble tray would work well on a coffee table or kitchen counter and makes the perfect place for sweet treats. —Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English trīg, trēg; akin to Old Swedish trø wooden grain measure and probably to Old English trēow tree — more at tree entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tray

• baking tray
• in tray
• litter tray
• out tray
• tea tray

Rhymes for tray

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• fray

Kids Definition

tray

noun

ˈtrā 

: an open container with flat bottom and low rim for holding, carrying, or exhibiting articles

trayful

-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Medical Definition

tray

noun

ˈtrā 

: an appliance consisting of a flanged body and a handle for use in holding plastic material against the gums or teeth in making negative impressions for dentures