ar·ray | \ ə-ˈrā 
\
\arrayed; arraying; arrays
Definition of array
(Entry 1 of 2)
b : to set or set forth in order (something, such as a jury) for the trial of a cause
array
nounDefinition of array (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : an imposing group : large number
faced a whole array of problems also : variety, assortment a broad array of styles
4 : a body of soldiers : militia the baron and his feudal array
5a(1) : a number of mathematical elements arranged in rows and columns
(2) : a data structure in which similar elements of data are arranged in a table
b : a series of statistical data arranged in classes in order of magnitude
6 : a group of elements forming a complete unit
an antenna array
Keep scrolling for more
Synonyms & Antonyms for array
Synonyms: Verb
- adorn,
- beautify,
- bedeck,
- bedizen,
- blazon,
- caparison,
- deck,
- decorate,
- do,
- do up,
- doll up,
- drape,
- dress,
- embellish,
- emblaze,
- emboss,
- enrich,
- fancify,
- fancy up,
- festoon,
- garnish,
- glitz (up),
- grace,
- gussy up,
- ornament,
- pretty (up),
- trim
Synonyms: Noun
- assemblage,
- band,
- bank,
- batch,
- battery,
- block,
- bunch,
- clot,
- clump,
- cluster,
- clutch,
- collection,
- constellation,
- group,
- grouping,
- huddle,
- knot,
- lot,
- muster,
- package,
- parcel,
- passel,
- set,
- suite
Antonyms: Verb
Visit the Thesaurus for More
Examples of array in a Sentence
Verb
She arrayed herself in rich velvets and satins.
a door arrayed for the holidays with a beautiful evergreen wreath Noun
an array of solar panels
an array of baseball gloves in the corner of his room
See More
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb During President Barack Obama's troop surge, about 100,000 military personnel were arrayed across the country, fighting to win remote areas from Taliban control.
—
Missy Ryan, Anchorage Daily News, "For most of Afghanistan war, America ‘never really fought to win,’ Trump declares," 19 May 2020 These fears stem from China’s military capabilities arrayed along much of India’s Himalayan border and the failure to resolve a border dispute.
—
Sumit Ganguly, Quartz India, "All trade and no democracy is the new hallmark of India-US ties," 25 Feb. 2020 With his administration engulfed by crisis, Trump can no longer control the forces once solidly arrayed behind him.
—
Philip Rucker, Anchorage Daily News, "Trump’s season of weakness: President who prizes strength enters key stretch in a fragile state," 19 Oct. 2019 The 6,000-square-foot home is in a neighborhood overlooking Lake Zurich that was once a vineyard but is now arrayed with golf courses and polite villa-style mansions.
—
Christopher Bollen, New York Times, "Who Was Carlo Scarpa?," 18 Feb. 2020 The cabinet displayed forty dials arrayed in four rows and ten columns.
—
Andrew Whitby, Wired, "A Brief History of the Census—and How Covid-19 Could Change It," 1 Apr. 2020 Go Family-Style, but on the Side The table was arrayed, simply, with Calvin Klein glassware and plates and flatware from the Italian company Match.
—
Kurt Soller, New York Times, "How an Author and His Husband Host Casual Dinners in Their New York Apartment," 14 Feb. 2020 Jewelry, watches and other accessories were arrayed on a long table; cowboy boots, high-heeled pumps and clogs sat neatly along a windowsill.
—
Tara Bahrampour, Washington Post, "‘The differences get overlooked’: How people in their 20s swap clothes with people in their 70s," 9 Dec. 2019 Meticulously arrayed, the echoing curves suggest fingerprint whorls or ripples on lakes and ponds.
—
Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, "In the galleries: Disrupting and denaturing the concept of comfortable at home," 13 Mar. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun That way, students don’t have to spend the whole day with the same set of their peers and can have a wider array of electives to choose from.
—
oregonlive, "Portland Public Schools’ new SE feeder patterns come into sharper focus," 13 Jan. 2021 Any new accord—to limit Iran’s missiles and, potentially in return, the weaponry in rival Arab arsenals—will almost certainly have to include a wider array of countries.
—
Robin Wright, The New Yorker, "Biden Faces a Minefield in New Diplomacy with Iran," 4 Jan. 2021 Featuring choreography by Francesca Harper, Tsai Hsi Hung, and Manuel Vignoulle, the films are shot in scenic locations across Philadelphia and feature unique costuming, inspired cinematography, and an array of technical styles.
—
Ariana Marsh, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Culture Lover’s January Guide," 1 Jan. 2021 This season, back in her Los Angeles office (and sometimes outside of it, to adhere to COVID-19 safety precautions), Dr. Lee sees a wide variety of patients and an even wider array of skin conditions.
—
Sarah Midkiff, refinery29.com, "Dr. Pimple Popper Is Back For A New Season — & We Have Your Exclusive First Look," 17 Nov. 2020 The park has extensive hiking and mountain-biking trails and 52 sites (from $40) spread between two campgrounds, as well as an array of yurts that opened in 2018.
—
Megan Michelson, Outside Online, "6 Camping Destinations That Are Better in Winter," 14 Nov. 2020 The Gators will stick to the game plan, though 6-foot-6 Pitts' size, array of skills and big-play ability are sure to be missed.
—
Edgar Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, "Gators host Arkansas aiming to build on Georgia win, sharpen championship form," 13 Nov. 2020 Expanding on the food truck, Sherpa Kitchen offered a wider array of dishes to give diners a taste of Nepal.
—
Priscilla Totiyapungprasert, The Arizona Republic, "Metro Phoenix's only Nepali restaurant is closing. Here's what's next for the family shop," 12 Nov. 2020 Instead the grille contains camera, radar and an array of other sensors.
—
Mike Duff, Car and Driver, "2022 BMW iX Electric Crossover Will Offer 500 HP, 300-Mile Range," 11 Nov. 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'array.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for array
array
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of array
(Entry 1 of 2)
formal
: to place (a group of things) in a particular position so that they are in order or so that they look attractive
literary : to dress (someone, especially yourself) in fine clothing
: to put (soldiers) in a place or position so that they are ready to attack
array
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of array (Entry 2 of 2)
: a large group or number of things
: a group of numbers, symbols, etc., that are arranged in rows and columns
: a way of organizing pieces of information in the memory of a computer so that similar kinds of information are together
See the full definition for array in the English Language Learners Dictionary
array
verbar·ray | \ ə-ˈrā \
\arrayed; arraying
Kids Definition of array
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : to place in order
Soldiers arrayed themselves for review. The table was arrayed with all sorts of delicacies.
2 : to dress especially in fine or beautiful clothing
He was arrayed like a prince.
array
nounKids Definition of array (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : an impressive group
You can choose from an array of colors.
2 : a group of persons (as soldiers) in a certain order
3 : fine or beautiful clothing
They were dressed in magnificent array.
4 : regular order or arrangement
5 : a group of mathematical elements (as numbers or letters) arranged in rows and columns
array
transitive verbar·ray | \ ə-ˈrā \
\Legal Definition of array
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to set (a jury) for trial specifically : to set (a jury) by calling out the names of the jurors one at a time — compare impanel
array
nounLegal Definition of array (Entry 2 of 2)
: the group of people summoned to serve as jurors from which the jury will be chosen also : a list of the jurors' names — see also challenge to the array at challenge — compare venire
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on array
What made you want to look up array? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
- What is an earlier meaning of nice?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
Take the quiz - Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quiz - Name That Thing
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question ...
Take the quiz - Word Winder's CrossWinder Play the game
Share array
Time Traveler for array
The first known use of array was in the 13th century
See more words from the same century