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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about desk

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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

Each uncovered sneeze can spread viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens more than 20 feet away, according to MIT research, but those same germs can pass from your fingers and palms to doorknobs, desks, and handrails. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "It’s 2019: How Are People Still Not Sneezing the Right Way?!?," 8 Feb. 2019 Don't hoard weights, use an extra bench as your desk or water bottle holder, and don’t work out right in front of the stack of dumbbells, Maietta says. — SELF, "Your Guide to Navigating the Free Weights at the Gym," 12 Jan. 2019 There’s Washington’s desk and Ben Franklin’s drinking glass. — Mike Newall, Philly.com, "How the Hoagie Historian is fighting to save Philly's beleaguered History Museum | Mike Newall," 11 July 2018 So for the first time, the 6-year-old business is hiring inexperienced workers to be front-desk receptionists and training them to handle sales and assist with eye exams. — Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, "Flexible hours, $10,000 referral fee: Small businesses get creative to hire in tight labor market," 11 July 2018 These five stories give us a reprieve from the head-desk-inducing vitriol of current events while bringing levity to these sagging summer days. — Garrett Mitchell, azcentral, "Five feel-good Arizona stories that have gone viral in 2018 (so far)," 10 July 2018 And a swivel of the desk chair brings into view a digital camera, television, and cable TV box. — Peter Ford, The Christian Science Monitor, "'E-waste': Getting grip on a growing global problem," 9 July 2018 Officer Pantaleo, who has been on desk duty since the death, faces disciplinary charges of recklessly using force by chokehold and intentional strangulation. — Zolan Kanno-youngs, WSJ, "NYPD Disciplinary Trial in Eric Garner’s Death Set for May," 6 Dec. 2018 The main officer involved in the incident, a four-year veteran of the force, has been put on desk duty pending an investigation. — Nicole Darrah, Fox News, "Texas police officer seen pointing gun at group of boys; mom says he choked her son," 2 Oct. 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.