table

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

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

Examples: table in a Sentence

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

Attendees got up from their tables and stood near the stage, throwing dollar bills at Ms. Clifford, the report says.

— rebecca ballhaus, WSJ, "Columbus Prosecutors Drop Charges Against Stormy Daniels," 12 July 2018
Antonino Zaccone, its 41-year-old owner, sat with me at my table before going to pick up his son from school.

— howie kahn, Smithsonian, "These Volcanic, Italian Islands Have Been Beloved by Travelers Since Homeric Times," 11 July 2018
The boy then returned to his table and sat alone as Cafe Crepe staff supervised from afar.

— alejandra reyes-velarde, latimes.com, "Police arrest woman in connection with boy abandoned at L.A.'s Union Station," 6 July 2018
Getty Images Please remove the boring fruit bowl from the center of your dining room table, because my head is about to be your new centerpiece.

— chloe metzger, Marie Claire, "Valentino Models Wore Giant Flower Headpieces During Haute Couture Week," 5 July 2018
These conversations can totally take over your lunch table, squad hangs, and even dominate the group text.

— alison caporimo, Seventeen, "Am I Demisexual?," 2 July 2018
Debby Albert, the dog bandanna maker, sat in a lawn chair Friday next to her table of small, medium and large bandannas.

— bill leukhardt, Courant Community, "Farmers Market Opens In New Plainville Spot Behind Town Hall," 2 July 2018
The shelf above my sink is home to the most luxurious solid massage bar, and my bedside table always has room for a bottle of Twilight Sleep Spray.

— rebecca norris, Allure, "Lush's Internet-Famous Shampoo Bars Made My Hair Crazy Shiny," 29 June 2018
After ordering at a station, guests will be given a tracking device so Urban Pantry servers can deliver the meal at their table.

— lauren delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Universal Orlando's Aventura Hotel will include food hall inspired Urban Pantry," 29 June 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

in the meaning defined at sense 3

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

But in mid-May, Xerox backed out of the deal and settled with the activists, who agreed to table a proxy fight after several months of drama.

— cara lombardo, WSJ, "Fujifilm Sues Xerox for More Than $1 Billion After Canceled Merger," 18 June 2018
In other business, the approval of a planned unit development allowing owners of an office building at 1717 Deerfield Road to build a parking garage was tabled as the village and property owners finalize agreement details.

— steve sadin, chicagotribune.com, "Deerfield moves to regulate small cell antennas," 9 July 2018
The issue was tabled at the last commissioners court after several of them wanted answers and an explanation why Dayton Park was the only applicant.

— david taylor, Houston Chronicle, "Liberty County commissioners quibble over GLO funds dispersal," 22 June 2018
Transportation of the Spanish squid was tabled against a steady flurry of other preparations as the Sant Ocean Hall put its final features into place.

— katherine j. wu, Smithsonian, "Operation Calamari: How the Smithsonian Got Its Giant Squids," 21 June 2018
After residents voiced concerns, proposals for three solar farms in Will County were tabled while officials try to include provisions of new state legislation that is expected to be signed into law soon.

— susan demar lafferty, Daily Southtown, "Will County residents weigh in on proposed solar farms," 14 June 2018
The proposal was originally tabled back in April over concerns about timing and its impact on other sports.

— matt murschel, OrlandoSentinel.com, "NCAA approves changes to redshirt rule," 13 June 2018
The idea was tabled by the City Council last week as lawmakers debated whether to impose a broader regulatory scheme on the scooters, which people have been riding on sidewalks and without helmets contrary to state law.

— joshua emerson smith, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego "chargers" flock downtown as app-based scooter craze soars," 29 May 2018
His party also tried to delay the vote by tabling 35,000 amendments — which Xhaferi, an ethnic Albanian, ignored.

— Washington Post, "Macedonia faces new crisis over minority language law," 14 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of table

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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

Kapur doesn’t want wordy chef-splanations to interrupt the revelry, so most dishes are delivered table side with warm, unpretentious words of welcome.

— ali bouzari, SFChronicle.com, "Housemade: The magic of Liholiho Yacht Club," 22 June 2018
Rather than table numbers, guests looked for Philadelphia street signs.

— Philly.com, "Philadelphia weddings: Jessica Atkinson and Barnett Pearlstein," 1 June 2018
Savings on sofas, table lamps, wall art, nightstands and outdoor patio furniture are just the start.

— banu ibrahim, CNN Underscored, "Give your home a major spring update with these Memorial Day deals," 24 May 2018
That takes off the table U.S. levies on $150 billion of Chinese goods in the near term, as well as Chinese border taxes on $50 billion in U.S. goods.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "A Welcome China Trade Truce," 21 May 2018
Try exchanging the overhead light for a chandelier or swapping table lamps for wall sconces or even hanging pendants.

— joanna linberg, Sunset, "10 Easy Ways to Refresh Your Bedroom," 22 Jan. 2018
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
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

First Known Use of table

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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