desk

noun

1
a
: a table, frame, or case with a sloping or horizontal surface especially for writing and reading and often with drawers, compartments, and pigeonholes
b
: a reading table or lectern from which a liturgical service is read
c
: a table, counter, stand, or booth at which a person works
2
a
: a division of an organization specializing in a particular phase of activity
the Russian desk in the Department of State
b
: a seating position according to rank in an orchestra
a first-desk violinist

Examples of desk in a Sentence

an information desk at an airport We will ask for directions to the restaurant at the front desk. We went to the reception desk to check into our room.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Watling met co-author Yu Xu while working as an editor for Zootaxa, the scientific journal where his work is now published, when Xu’s work crossed his desk. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025 In a different school, a student filmed another playing Steal a Brainrot at their desk. Annabelle Canela, Parents, 5 Sep. 2025 The tour began through the doors near the check-in desk and to the administrative wing to meet with Gibron, who shared her own history with Planned Parenthood. Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 5 Sep. 2025 The killing was captured on video and showed Stines firing at Mullins multiple times while the judge was sitting at his desk, and again firing after Mullins fell to the floor. Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for desk

Word History

Etymology

Middle English deske, dext "reading desk, lectern," borrowed from Medieval Latin descus, desca, variant of discus "raised table, platform," going back to Latin, "discus, kind of plate, gong," borrowed from Greek dískos "discus," in Late Greek also "dish, round mirror, the sun's disk, gong" — more at discus

Note: The e in the British Medieval Latin forms (and subsequent borrowing into Middle English) appears to show influence of the Romance outcome of discus, for which see the note at dish entry 1. The sense "reading desk," presumably originating in monastic usage, is not limited to Britain—compare discus in Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch, which records the meaning in central Europe.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of desk was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Desk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desk. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

desk

noun
1
a
: a table, frame, or case with a flat or sloping surface especially for writing and reading
b
: a counter at which a person works
2
a
: a specialized division of an organization (as a newspaper)
city desk
b
: a seating position according to rank in an orchestra

More from Merriam-Webster on desk

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!