array

verb ar·ray \ ə-ˈrā \

|Updated on: 19 Jul 2018

Examples: array in a Sentence

Definition of array

arrayed; arraying; arrays

transitive verb

1 : to dress or decorate especially in splendid or impressive attire : adorn

… he had already arrayed himself in his best clothes.
—Thomas Hardy

2 a : to set or place in order : draw up, marshal

the forces arrayed against us

b : to set or set forth in order (something, such as a jury) for the trial of a cause

3 : to arrange or display in or as if in an array

The … data are arrayed in descending order.
—Ed Burnett

—

arrayer

noun

See array defined for English-language learners

See array defined for kids

Examples of array in a Sentence

She arrayed herself in rich velvets and satins.
a door arrayed for the holidays with a beautiful evergreen wreath

Recent Examples of array from the Web

In front of Shelton was a can of Diet Dr Pepper, and arrayed around the table were the members of his increasingly nervous senior staff.

— garrett m. graff, WIRED, "The New Arms Race Threatening to Explode in Space," 26 June 2018
Cheek, who works in the computer field, became the face of the opposition, coming to meetings arrayed with facts, figures and criticisms.

— bill torpy, ajc, "Torpy at Large: When gadflies try to enter the Belly of the Beast," 24 May 2018
On Wednesday, more than 50 family members gathered at the respite center to eat hot soup, change into clean clothes and let their children play with toys arrayed in a corner.

— molly hennessy-fiske, latimes.com, "Trump ended separating families. But what's next?," 21 June 2018
Connectivity: Lenovo arrayed most of the ports on the back of the Legion Y530 and Legion 7000.

— melissa riofrio, PCWorld, "Lenovo's Legion Y530 and Legion Y7000 gaming laptops are designed to be subtle," 11 June 2018
Conservative forces arrayed against him within the Vatican have been emboldened, seeking to thwart him on multiple fronts.

— jason horowitz, BostonGlobe.com, "Amid global populist tide, pope increasingly embattled," 28 Apr. 2018
The newsroom sits at the modern edge of Bratislava’s medieval core, with the staff of 27 — 26, after Kuciak’s murder — arrayed in cubicles across an open-plan office.

— griff witte, Washington Post, "How Slovakia stood up to a journalist’s murder and kicked out its prime minister," 28 Mar. 2018
With this question — raised by the Gucci show set: an antiseptic hospital-gown-green space with piercing overhead lights, medical beds strategically arrayed beneath — the Milan women’s wear collections got into gear.

— vanessa friedman, New York Times, "At Gucci, Dressing for the Post-Human World," 22 Feb. 2018
Seemingly energized by his landmark meeting this week with North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, Mr. Trump depicted his presidency as a string of unvarnished successes despite the unfair and even criminal forces arrayed against him.

— eileen sullivan, New York Times, "Trump, Riding a North Korea High, Unloads on the F.B.I., Comey and Obama," 15 June 2018

These 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.

Origin and Etymology of array

Middle English, from Anglo-French arraier, from Vulgar Latin *arredare, from Latin ad- + a base of Germanic origin; akin to Goth garaiths arranged — more at ready

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

array Synonyms

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

array

noun

Definition of array

1 : an imposing group : large number

faced a whole array of problems

; also : variety, assortment

a broad array of styles

2 a : a regular and imposing grouping or arrangement : order

lined up … in soldierly array
—Donald Barthelme

b law : an orderly listing of jurors impaneled

3 a : clothing, attire

b : rich or beautiful apparel : finery

4 : a body of soldiers : militia

the baron and his feudal array

5 a (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

See array defined for English-language learners

Examples of array in a Sentence

an array of solar panels
an array of baseball gloves in the corner of his room

Recent Examples of array from the Web

Cuddledown’s 400 thread count sateen (www.cuddledown.com) are silky, light-weight, certified eco-friendly, and come in a stunning array of colors.

— karen campbell, BostonGlobe.com, "Trouble sleeping? Let your senses be your guide," 12 July 2018
Though cruising remains the biggest source of Levine's income, he is also invested in an array of mutual funds.

— david smiley, joey flechas and danny rivero, miamiherald, "Hustle and Flow: How Philip Levine made the money that’s financing his bid for governor," 10 July 2018
The researchers behind it hope their process can one day grow hairs from many different animals, not just sheep, as well as produce colored wool in an array of fantastical tones.

— emily matchar, Smithsonian, "What Will It Take To Make Vegan Wool?," 29 June 2018
After O'Connor retired in 2006, Kennedy essentially was left as the only swing vote on the court, giving his voice more prominence in an array of critical legal issues.

— NBC News, "'The Decider': Kennedy's legacy as a Supreme Court swing vote," 27 June 2018
Set in a wide array of times and places, Schwob’s stories have the mythic quality of parables, but rendered in sensuous, often grotesque detail.

— martin riker, WSJ, "Books Born of Books," 22 June 2018
Alibaba’s is largely a strategy of buying controlling stakes in businesses that are a fit with its commerce platform; Tencent takes hundreds of minority stakes in an array of businesses to win over partners and gain access to their technology.

— adam lashinsky, Fortune, "Alibaba v. Tencent: The Battle for Supremacy in China," 21 June 2018
So Baltimore decided to take a route that the Diocese of Helena, Montana, took two years ago - allowing priests to perform wedding ceremonies in an array of locations, including outdoors.

— julie zauzmer, chicagotribune.com, "Catholics can get married outdoors in two places: In Montana, and now in Baltimore," 16 June 2018
Adults and kids of all ages can take part in an array of activities, from milking cows and bottle-feeding calves to fly fishing and hiking.

— lindsay cohn, USA TODAY, "Agriturismo, American style: 8 farm and food experiences in the USA," 15 June 2018

Origin and Etymology of array

see ¹array

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2a

See Words from the same year

array Synonyms

Synonyms

band, batch, battery, body, boodle, bunch, cluster, clutch, consort, constellation, crop, group, grouping, huddle, knot, lot, parcel, party, passel;

Near Antonyms

individual, single;

circle, clan, clique, coterie, fellowship, gang, ring, round, set;

faction, guild (also gild), order, school, sect;

brigade, crew, outfit, phalanx, platoon, posse, task force, team;

alliance, bloc, coalition, confederacy, confederation, federation, league, union;

battalion, squadron;

bevy, brood, covey;

Phrases

the whole kit and caboodle;

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

ARRAY Defined for English Language Learners

array

verb

Definition of array for English Language Learners

: to place (a group of things) in a particular position so that they are in order or so that they look attractive
: to dress (someone, especially yourself) in fine clothing
: to put (soldiers) in a place or position so that they are ready to attack

array

noun

Definition of array for English Language Learners

: 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

ARRAY Defined for Kids

array

verb ar·ray \ ə-ˈrā \

Definition of array for Students

arrayed; arraying

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

noun

Definition of array for Students

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

Law Dictionary

array

transitive verb ar·ray \ ə-ˈrā \

legal Definition of array

: 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

noun

legal Definition of array

: 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