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

Anna and Tom, millennial expats in Berlin, rent out their home as an Airbnb whose surfaces present a tableau of perfection: Scandinavian armchairs, Japanese teapots, sunlight filtering through the emerald leaves of a perforated monstera plant. —Leslie Jamison, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025

This is contrary to the tableau presented on the cover and, thus, where satire comes in. —Melissa A. Wheeler, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025

The incident became part of the over-the-top tableau of the madman’s career: biting the head off a live bat (true), biting the head off a live dove (also true), tossing a 50-inch TV out a hotel window (obviously true). —Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 22 July 2025

On the left side of the tableau, a man stomps on grapes to make more wine, and on the right, a bear walks on its hind legs. —Kate Guadagnino, New York Times, 7 July 2025

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