table

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

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

With just a few clicks of a mouse, a diner could secure a table at prime times in the hottest dining spots.

— stephanie strom, New York Times, "OpenTable Began a Revolution. Now It’s a Power Under Siege.," 29 Aug. 2017
Serve the remaining sauce in a bowl on the table for use as desired.

— jim shahin, charlotteobserver, "Think you can’t get smoky flavors from a gas grill? Try this.," 29 Aug. 2017
The company has made some tweaks to please its biggest market, equipping its bar area with mahjong tables and karaoke rooms.

— kevin chan, chicagotribune.com, "Western brand, Chinese characteristics: Club Med at Guilin," 25 Aug. 2017
While making her way through the candy shop, Rose treated herself to some Skittles and sour gummies, before making her way to a VIP table.

— miamiherald, "What, no salad? Amber Rose digs into a giant steak in Miami," 23 Aug. 2017
When a half-order of sour-cream chicken nachos ($8.99) were deposited on the table, the condiments had a new conduit.

— anna caplan, star-telegram, "Los Jimadores’ new location is a chip (and salsa) off the old block," 23 Aug. 2017
For context, the role of labor is often to sit across the table and negotiate with corporations and CEOs who are determined to put profits over people.

— thea lee, Cosmopolitan, "Why I Served on Trump’s Manufacturing Council — and Why I Left," 21 Aug. 2017
Sociocultural politics took its place at the top table alongside traditional socioeconomic politics — meaning as much as money.

— david goodhart, National Review, "On the Road to Somewhere, the Divide between Elites and Populists," 21 Aug. 2017
Then, the surgeon leaves to scrub, and my husband kisses me, and I am wheeled away to a bright white operating theater where I am lifted onto a table.

— joanna petrone, Longreads, "Pregnant, then Ruptured," 18 Aug. 2017

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

Synonyms

board

Related Words

coffee table, refectory table, tea table; bar, counter; buffet, sideboard, side table; bed table, card table

Near Antonyms

bane, poison, toxin, venom

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

appoint, credenza, mission, settee

table

verb

Definition of table

tabled; tabling play \-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

City Council tabled a vote to approve Ryan Cos. as the developer for the Fifth Avenue project Tuesday after some council members expressed concern and anger over the process by which the company was chosen.

— erin hegarty, Naperville Sun, "Naperville council members question selection process of 5th Avenue developer," 16 Aug. 2017
The board tabled creation of a school site selection committee to analyze various sites for a new school campus, awaiting more information from a real estate agent.

— laura groch, sandiegouniontribune.com, "How they voted, Aug. 13," 13 Aug. 2017
The Rangers and Lucroy tabled negotiations on an extension during spring training and haven’t revisited them.

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "Chirinos’ ankle responds, leaving Rangers still able to shop Lucroy," 24 July 2017
The New York state Senate’s ethics committee held its first public hearing in eight years on Thursday, then tabled a contentious vote until the next meeting.

— mike vilensky, WSJ, "State Senate’s Ethics Panel Meets After Eight-Year Hiatus," 15 June 2017
Their appointments came after seven of the commission's nine members resigned, with their resignations coming not long after the plan commission had tabled a vote on another controversial apartment project, The Reserve.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "Mayor: Letters dumping Tinley Park planners 'mistakenly' sent," 12 June 2017
The heritage tree does not stand in the path of the project, which the Planning Commission tabled in April pending the appeal’s outcome.

— kevin kelly, The Mercury News, "Removal of 110-foot tree denied by Menlo Park," 8 June 2017
The city cut10 percent of its staff, and plans for the water park were indefinitely tabled.

— robert samuels, Washington Post, "How ‘the energy capital of the nation’ regained its power in the Trump era," 2 June 2017
School board members voted Monday to table the changes affecting the boundaries of nine elementary schools west of Interstate 35.

— david twiddy, kansascity, "Shawnee Mission school board pulls back on changes to elementary boundaries," 23 May 2017

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

The service in this space is table side and a bit hectic, in keeping with the overall environment of the restaurant.

— lindsey mcclave, The Courier-Journal, "El Mundo's 'controlled chaos' is worth the delicious wait | Review," 30 Aug. 2017
Up to 65% off chandeliers, sconces pendants and table lamps (through September 3).

— megan stein, PEOPLE.com, "19 Weekend Super Sales: Here's Where to Save on Furniture, Decor, Rugs and More Right Now," 25 Aug. 2017
Table-saw makers face a wave of lawsuits Beyond a possible CPSC mandate, the other big danger facing table-saw manufacturers who don't adopt the new technology is product-liability lawsuits.

— timothy b. lee, Ars Technica, "Feds might force table-saw makers to adopt radically safer technology," 10 Aug. 2017
The grant was provided by the proceeds from last fall's Chefs Around the Table Fundraiser.

— Post-Tribune, "Community calendar," 21 July 2017
The Vatican letter also reaffirmed the existing practice of using of mustum, a grape juice where fermentation has begun before the alcohol content (usually less than 1 percent) reaches the levels found in most table wines.

— sarah pulliam bailey, Washington Post, "The Catholic Church says no to gluten-free communion. Here’s why.," 11 July 2017
And even after all that travel, Markle and Prince Harry weren't seated together at the celebration thanks to Pippa's strict table arrangements that separated significant others during the dinner.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "Was Meghan Markle at Pippa Middleton's Wedding?," 22 May 2017
Table seating is $19-$69; lawn seating $25. 817-665-6000; www.fwsymphony.org.

— mark lowry, star-telegram, "More than 50 artsy ways to say ‘Love you, Mom’ in DFW," 10 May 2017
Table 19 opened in select theaters on March 3, but is rolling out to an additional 800+ screens across the U.S. this weekend.

— vanityfair.com, "Watch: Anna Kendrick Has Terrible (Amazing?) Advice for Wedding Guests," 10 Mar. 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

From the M-W Editors

Examples of table in a Sentence

Recent Examples of table from the Web

Origin and Etymology of table

table Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

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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