tableau

noun

tab·​leau ˈta-ˌblō How to pronounce tableau (audio) ta-ˈblō How to pronounce tableau (audio)
plural tableaux ˈta-ˌblōz How to pronounce tableau (audio)
ta-ˈblōz
also tableaus
1
: a graphic description or representation : picture
winsome tableaux of old-fashioned literary daysJ. 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 Notably, the blurred figure embraced by Liu Lian on the EP cover hints at a symbolic embrace of her own multifaceted identity within this tableau. Billboard China, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2024 The opening tableau, sculptural in composition, brings to mind the war-scarred art of Käthe Kollwitz. Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 With its delicate erotic scenes, pervasive feeling of menace and occasional outbursts of violence — every single frame here is an exquisite tableau — this would make for a perfect Netflix series. Ernesto Lechner, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2024 The video, just over a minute long, shows a group forming a loose circle around the victim, with at least one using a cellphone to illuminate the tableau. The Arizona Republic, 12 Jan. 2024 The fire, which killed at least 115 people, turned all that to a toxic, ashy tableau and scattered its caretakers. Karin Brulliard, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2023 Non-parading groups will just have a ball, a tableau or an opening skit. USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2024 However, the drink missing from this tableau is Gatorade. Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2024 The tableau at the Hollywood Bowl stirred similar emotions in me. Lizzy Goodman, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tableau.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tableau was in 1660

Dictionary Entries Near tableau

Cite this Entry

“Tableau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tableau. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tableau

noun
tab·​leau ˈtab-ˌlō How to pronounce tableau (audio) ta-ˈblō How to pronounce tableau (audio)
plural tableaux -ˌlōz How to pronounce tableau (audio)
-blōz
also tableaus
: a scene or event shown by a group of persons in costume who remain silent and motionless

More from Merriam-Webster on tableau

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