the bench
noun
1
law
: the place where a judge sits in a court of law
The lawyer asked if he could approach the bench.
2
: a long seat where the members of a sports team wait during a game for a chance to play
He spent most of his season on the bench.
He plays better coming off the bench.
Examples of the bench in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Most of Miami’s regular starters spent the first half on the bench and played in the second half.
—
Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2026
Deandre Ayton and Austin Reaves both had 12 points and Luke Kennard had 11 points off the bench.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
These are the moments James relishes, in his 23rd season, making new memories – one of his children, Lakers guard Bronny James, often on the bench, another in San Francisco on Saturday, watching the Lakers away from home.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 1 Mar. 2026
Mohamed Diawara had 14 points off the bench for the Knicks, who also beat the Spurs earlier this season to win the NBA Cup in Las Vegas.
—CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the bench
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Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2026
Deandre Ayton and Austin Reaves both had 12 points and Luke Kennard had 11 points off the bench.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
These are the moments James relishes, in his 23rd season, making new memories – one of his children, Lakers guard Bronny James, often on the bench, another in San Francisco on Saturday, watching the Lakers away from home.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 1 Mar. 2026
Mohamed Diawara had 14 points off the bench for the Knicks, who also beat the Spurs earlier this season to win the NBA Cup in Las Vegas.
—CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the bench
Cite this Entry
“The bench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20bench. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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