tableau

noun

tab·​leau ˈta-ˌblō  ta-ˈblō 

plural tableaux ˈta-ˌblōz 

ta-ˈblōz

also tableaus

1

: a graphic description or representation : picture

… winsome tableaux of old-fashioned literary days …

—J. D. Hart

2

: a striking or artistic grouping : arrangement, scene

3

[short for tableau vivant (from French, literally, living picture)] : a depiction of a scene usually presented on a stage by silent and motionless costumed participants

Examples of tableau in a Sentence

The houses are grouped together in a charming tableau.

Recent Examples on the Web

Campers were beginning to gather; here or there a phone lit a face out of the night like a pilgrim in a tenebrist tableau. — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

Previous seasons saw Vernon curate the subterranean room into messy domestic tableaux, with pieces nestled among scenes of dinner parties and unfinished musical manuscripts—the detritus of a chaotic creative process. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026

The tableau, reminiscent of a bygone era, has likely played out here for centuries. — Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Ele also suggests interacting with the silent, posing performers in the tableau, leading to a group bout of one-upsmanship as the players collectively try to get the performers to crack. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French tablel, diminutive of table, from Old French

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tableau

• tableau curtain

Rhymes for tableau

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

tableau

noun

tab·​leau ˈtab-ˌlō  ta-ˈblō 

plural tableaux -ˌlōz 

-blōz

also tableaus

: a scene or event shown by a group of persons in costume who remain silent and motionless