desk

noun

\ ˈdesk

Definition of desk

1a : 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

2a : 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

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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

Later, Mary is captured in her sewing room, sitting on a cutting desk with a glass of wine, checking a fitting with her husband and business partner Alexander Plunket Greene. — Sarah Mower, Vogue, "Mary Quant and Her Chelsea Girls Swing Into London’s V&A Museum," 5 Apr. 2019 In 2013, an inspector found three rooms with beds, clothes, computers, cellphones, desks and a refrigerator full of food at Serenity Massage in Tampa. — Terry Spencer, The Seattle Times, "AP Investigation: Florida gets tougher on massage-parlor sex," 31 Mar. 2019 People always think to choose a great desk and side chairs, all of the classic office furniture pieces. — Liz Cantrell, ELLE Decor, "How to Make Your Office a "Home Away From Home"," 25 Feb. 2019 Now, along comes Facebook’s Portal, a video phone that sits on your counter or desk looking like a big touch screen and little else. — Kevin Dupzyk, Popular Mechanics, "Things Come Apart: Facebook Portal+," 24 Mar. 2019 Don’t just rely on the in-ceiling lighting—make sure to bring in a great desk lamp, table lamps on a credenza, or a floor lamp. — Liz Cantrell, ELLE Decor, "How to Make Your Office a "Home Away From Home"," 25 Feb. 2019 The whole room, including the bed, is fuchsia, my favorite color; and there’s a great picture of me with Andy Warhol over the desk. — Deborah Needleman, Harper's BAZAAR, "Lee Radziwill's Last Interview," 20 Feb. 2019 Another woman from California found that her desk caught on fire, likely because of her mirror. — Blake Bakkila, Good Housekeeping, "Martha Stewart Posts Terrifying Photos After Her Makeup Mirror Almost "Ignited" Her Bathroom," 7 Jan. 2019 Whether those findings apply to sitting at a desk outdoors might merit further study. — Rick Romell, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "L.L. Bean will bring freedom for the desk-bound to Madison with outdoor workspace," 6 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'desk.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.