table

noun, often attributive ta·ble \ ˈtā-bəl \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of table

1 a : a piece of furniture consisting of a smooth flat slab fixed on legs

b (1) : a group of people assembled at or as if at a table

(2) : a legislative or negotiating session

the bargaining table

c (1) : a supply or source of food

(2) : an act or instance of assembling to eat : meal

sit down to table

2 a : a systematic arrangement of data usually in rows and columns for ready reference

b : a condensed enumeration : list

a table of contents

3 : tablet 1a

4 a tables plural : backgammon

b : one of the two leaves of a backgammon board or either half of a leaf

5 : stringcourse

6 : something that resembles a table especially in having a plane surface: such as

a : the upper flat surface of a cut precious stone — see brilliant illustration

b (1) : tableland

(2) : a horizontal stratum

— on the table

: up for consideration or negotiation

the subject is not on the table

— under the table

1 : into a stupor

can drink you under the table

2 : in a covert manner

took money under the table

See table defined for English-language learners

See table defined for kids

Examples of table in a Sentence

They were sitting at the dining table.
She reserved a table for two at the restaurant.
He had the attention of the entire table.
The table shows the salary of each employee.

Recent Examples of table from the Web

Newcastle's win on Saturday sees them climb up to the top half of the table in 10th place.

— SI.com, "Rafa Benitez Insists Newcastle Want More to Ensure Premier League Survival After Crucial," 8 Apr. 2018
Stuart Findlay's first-half header gave Kilmarnock a 1-0 win at struggling Partick Thistle, who sit one point adrift at the foot of the table after Ross County drew 1-1 with Hibernian.

— afp, chicagotribune.com, "Scotland Recap: Rangers overtake Aberdeen for second place," 7 Apr. 2018
Adams motioned for Young, who had been sitting at the end of the candidates table, to move between the two opponents.

— jim morrill, charlotteobserver, "'Stop talking about me.' How this NC congressional forum turned into a nasty stare-down | Charlotte Observer," 6 Apr. 2018
So any media organizations angling for a Cabinet member at their table might just have a shot (wrangling A-list guests is practically a sport among the media organizations that attend the dinner).

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Trump to skip White House correspondents' dinner again," 6 Apr. 2018
Hamilton’s parents found the manifesto in a binder on their kitchen table, NBC reports.

— jared gilmour, sacbee, "Man vanished with parents’ guns. He left a chilling ‘manifesto’ of death threats, San Jose police say | The Sacramento Bee," 5 Apr. 2018
All dishes are cooked to order and a stream of plates found our table within 15 minutes after the wings.

— lindsey mcclave, The Courier-Journal, "Haitian food at Caribbean Cafe will transport your taste buds to the small island," 4 Apr. 2018
Greenwood’s design is a blend of rustic (in its wooden walls and ceilings) and contemporary (in the main dining room’s polished stone walls with embedded mirrors, and in its tables and seats).

— donald liebenson, Lake County News-Sun, "Greenwood in Highwood: Suburban hang with a city vibe," 4 Apr. 2018
Order a bottle of table red, and an entire sausage and pepper pizza—a little spice, and a lot nice.

— catherine o’neill, Bon Appetit, "Your April Horoscope, Now with 100% More Pizza," 1 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of table

Middle English, from Old English tabule & Anglo-French table; both from Latin tabula board, tablet, list

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

table Synonyms

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

appoint, credenza, mission, settee

table

verb

Definition of table

tabled; tabling play \ˈtā-b(ə-)liŋ\

transitive verb

1 a : to remove (something, such as a parliamentary motion) from consideration indefinitely

b British : to place on the agenda

c : to put on a table

2 : to enter in a table

See table defined for English-language learners

Examples of table in a Sentence

The committee tabled the issue until the next meeting.
She plans to table a motion for debate in Parliament.

Recent Examples of table from the Web

Commissioner Mark Nettuno made a motion to table the item, which was seconded by Pct.

— jacob mcadams, Houston Chronicle, "SJC Commissioners Court tables requests for more deputies, jailers," 9 Apr. 2018
BOF Chair Ray Sulich tabled the discussion of the roof replacement.

— denise coffey, Courant Community, "Canterbury Boards Battle Over Roof Replacement, Education Budget," 3 Apr. 2018
Lawmakers then postponed a vote on the bill, satisfying many educators who thought pension changes were tabled for the remainder of the session.

— darcy costello, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky teachers' protests over pension reform, budget show 'red state revolt' spreading," 3 Apr. 2018
The bill, tabled for parliamentary approval Monday, will penalize those who create, offer, circulate, print or publish fake news or publications containing fake news with a 10-year jail term, a fine of up to 500,000 ringgit ($128,000) or both.

— Fox News, "Malaysia poised to give 10 years in jail for fake news," 26 Mar. 2018
More often, the board will table an item and ask for more information and approve it the following week.

— karen farkas, cleveland.com, "How does Cuyahoga County award contracts and purchase items?," 19 Mar. 2018
Newcastle United reportedly tabled a bid for Rodrigues in the January window of €8m.

— SI.com, "Galatasaray President Prices Winger Garry Rodrigues at €30m After Interest From Newcastle," 8 Mar. 2018
However, the 26-year-old is keen to remain at the Gunners and is prepared to hold out for their proposal to be tabled.

— SI.com, "Everton Prepare to Hijack Arsenal Summer Transfer Should Jack Wilshere Turn Down Toffees," 25 Mar. 2018
Trump, who is said to always be reimagining his staff positions, appears to have tabled the suggestion for now.

— NBC News, "Amid White House turmoil, Trump mused about life without a chief of staff," 22 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of table

15th century

table

adjective

Definition of table

1 : suitable for a table or for use at a table

a table lamp

2 : suitable for serving at a table

table grapes

3 : proper for conduct at a table

table manners

Recent Examples of table from the Web

Plume in Washington, D.C., offers nonalcoholic beverage pairings for kids’ meals using a table side cart.

— alina dizik, WSJ, "High-End Dining for the High-Chair Set," 3 Apr. 2018
The team were staying at the Abba Huesca Hotel ahead of their trip to the top of the table side.

— SI.com, "Segunda Division Star Rushed to Hospital After Falling From Third Floor of Hotel," 31 Mar. 2018
Fill in with wall sconces, floor lamps or table lamps.

— lisa marie hart, USA TODAY, "Take a fresh approach to updating your entire house," 25 Mar. 2018
As smooth- and quiet-running as a table lamp, or two table lamps.

— bruce mccall, Esquire, "5 Electric Cars That Are Too Weird to Believe," 15 Mar. 2018
Southampton were held to a goalless draw by a resilient Stoke side in a crucial game at the St. Mary's Stadium on Saturday, which saw two sides at the foot of the table battle it out for three points.

— SI.com, "Southampton 0-0 Stoke: Saints and Potters Share the Spoils In Crucial Relegation Scrap," 3 Mar. 2018
Others amuse themselves playing table football or having elaborate spa treatments.

— The Economist, "Living the high lifeSome airport terminals are learning from the luxury-hotel business," 1 Mar. 2018
The photon dance happens in a lab at MIT where the physicists run table-top experiments with lasers.

— marissa fessenden, Smithsonian, "Scientists Create a New Form of Light by Linking Photons," 16 Feb. 2018
By contrast, the ensuing kitchen table scene often feels obvious and programmatic.

— jesse green, New York Times, "Review: Reimagining ‘Peter Pan’ for the Lipitor Demographic," 13 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of table

15th century

TABLE Defined for English Language Learners

table

noun

Definition of table for English Language Learners

: a piece of furniture that has a flat top and one or more legs
: a piece of furniture with a flat surface that is designed to be used for a particular purpose
: a group of people who are sitting at a table

table

verb

Definition of table for English Language Learners

: to decide not to discuss (something) until a later time
: to formally present (something) for discussion

TABLE Defined for Kids

table

noun ta·ble \ ˈtā-bəl \

Definition of table for Students

1 : a piece of furniture having a smooth flat top on legs

the kitchen table

a picnic table

2 : food to eat

Grandma sets a good table.

3 : the people around a table

The whole table ordered fish.

4 : short list

a table of contents

5 : an arrangement in rows or columns for reference

multiplication tables

table

verb

Definition of table for Students

tabled; tabling

1 : tabulate

2 : to put on a table

Medical Dictionary

table

noun ta·ble \ ˈtā-bəl \

medical Definition of table

1 : a piece of furniture consisting of a smooth flat slab fixed on legs; especially : one used for examining or operating

2 : either of the two layers of compact bone of the skull which are separated by cancellous diploe

Learn More about table

See words that rhyme with table Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for table Spanish Central: Translation of table Nglish: Translation of table for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of table for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about table

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table

Definition of table

Examples of table in a Sentence

Recent Examples of table from the Web

Origin and Etymology of table

table Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

table

Definition of table

Examples of table in a Sentence

Recent Examples of table from the Web

First Known Use of table

table

Definition of table

Recent Examples of table from the Web

First Known Use of table

TABLE Defined for English Language Learners

table

Definition of table for English Language Learners

table

Definition of table for English Language Learners

TABLE Defined for Kids

table

Definition of table for Students

table

Definition of table for Students

Medical Dictionary

table

medical Definition of table

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