table

noun, often attributive

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ta·ble | \ ˈtā-bəl

plural tables

Definition of table

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : 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

2a : a systematic arrangement of data usually in rows and columns for ready reference

b : a condensed enumeration : list a table of contents

3 : tablet sense 1a

4a 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

off the table

: not up for consideration or negotiation That option is now off the table.

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

table

verb

tabled; tabling\ ˈtā-b(ə-)liŋ

Definition of table (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : 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

table

adjective

Definition of table (Entry 3 of 3)

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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about table

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Examples of table in a Sentence

Noun 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. Verb The committee tabled the issue until the next meeting. She plans to table a motion for debate in Parliament.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Staff members who sit at the scorer’s table this season need two virus negative tests, collected 24 hours apart, in the three days before a game. — Scott Cacciola, New York Times, "His Job Is Counting Stephen Curry’s 3-Pointers. You’d Retire, Too.," 8 Jan. 2021 The table incorrectly labeled the performance change as from the previous quarter. — WSJ, "Corrections & Amplifications," 5 Jan. 2021 Two Isamu Noguchi lanterns hang from those beams, dangling above the dining area’s travertine table and vintage Marcel Breuer chairs. — Vanessa Lawrence, ELLE Decor, "In a Former Nabisco Factory, an Architect Works Magic in a Cookie-Cutter Mold," 5 Jan. 2021 The village shows up out of nowhere sometimes to play pool with Lee beneath the house, on the regulation-size table Jane bought for him after his diagnosis. — Michelle Matthews | Mmatthews@al.com, al, "Meet the woman with the biggest heart on Dauphin Island," 5 Jan. 2021 However, the waitress later told police that the customer and the woman at the next table were using profanities while conversing loudly about politics. — Bob Sandrick, cleveland, "Bob Evans customer talking politics throws mask & hand sanitizer at restaurant staff in Brook Park," 4 Jan. 2021 Buckets of purple, green and gold sugar were stacked around the busy work table, and great wads of sweet dough were ready to cut into individual braids. — Ian Mcnulty | Staff Writer, NOLA.com, "With a much different Mardi Gras, will king cake still rule New Orleans cravings?," 4 Jan. 2021 Police shared images of unmasked partygoers in cocktail dresses and heels gathered closely around a couch and table, with confetti on the floor. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, "Thousands of New Year’s revelers ignore stay-at-home orders in Los Angeles County," 2 Jan. 2021 The day arrives and Brina is tied to the stone table, ready for the sacrificing. — Jessica Goldstein, Vulture, "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Series Finale Recap: Enter the Void," 1 Jan. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Avalos could have been confirmed Tuesday, but the Common Council was forced to table the matter because a background check on Avalos was performed by an outside firm and not by the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, as required by city ordinance. — Elliot Hughes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "With Brunson retiring next week, Fire and Police Commission selects Norman as next acting chief," 17 Dec. 2020 The City Council on Tuesday voted 8-0 to table a vote on the 2021 city budget. — Laurinda Joenks, Arkansas Online, "Springdale council tables budget decision," 10 Dec. 2020 But the House followed on Aug. 18 and voted to table the ultimate suffrage vote two times, and two times the vote resulted in a tie. — USA Today, "View more than 100 photos of Tennessee’s role in the women’s suffrage movement," 19 Aug. 2020 Even those who prefer to table deficit reduction until the economy recovers can be forgiven for beginning to plan these reforms now. — Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, "The Capital Letter: Week of December 7," 12 Dec. 2020 The Lake County Council and the Lake County Sheriff expressed concerns Thursday after the Commissioners voted to table a purchase request for thermometer kiosks, which are considered personal protective equipment. — Alexandra Kukulka, chicagotribune.com, "Purchasing battle continues as sheriff goes to county council after commissioners table temperature kiosk request," 3 Dec. 2020 John Laesch, a candidate for mayor, asked the council to table its vote on the ordinance to bring something back with more teeth. — Steve Lord, chicagotribune.com, "Aurora creates first-ever police Civilian Review Board," 29 Nov. 2020 Why not table the project and hold the NCAA Tournament in May or June? — Mike Anthony, courant.com, "Mike Anthony: Geno Auriemma and UConn players supporting each other toward opening of season that is already a nightmare," 25 Nov. 2020 Deciding to approve the grant, but table the decision on policies governing a street mural, the council voted to accept the funds and examine developing such policies. — Steve Smith, courant.com, "Windsor Town Council accepts grant for street mural," 11 Nov. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective But during the second quarter, when shutdown measures took hold, the non-table proportion shot up to 90%. — Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, "Robot cooks and virtual kitchens: How the restaurant industry looks to technology for help," 19 Oct. 2020 Presented and mixed table side, the salad is a collection of simple ingredients that, when methodically combined, become spectacular. — Justin Phillips, SFChronicle.com, "How Burma Superstar’s quiet founder created a Burmese food empire," 6 Mar. 2020 Use a mix of sources — floor lamps, table lamps, sconces and overheads. — New York Times, "Tired of Winter? Here’s How to Make Your Home a Haven," 7 Feb. 2020 There’s a mix of table lamps, task lights, wall lights, and standing floor lamps on offer with shapes that range from tall mushrooms to something reminiscent of the Bat Signal. — Boone Ashworth, Wired, "These Sleek Lamps Illuminate the Promise of 3D Printing," 26 Feb. 2020 The space also was updated to include more table seating and brighter decor. — Tirion Morris, azcentral, "After 2 years, this popular south Tempe restaurant is closed. Here's what we know," 17 Jan. 2020 Pull your naval in towards your spine and bring your knees up to a table top position. — Stephanie Mansour, NBC News, "Reformer Pilates: What it is, who it's best for and how to do some moves without the reformer," 10 Jan. 2020 Create balanced, even lighting with floor and table lamps throughout the room, in addition to a large ceiling fixture for overhead light. — Washington Post, "Out with the dated ‘disaster room,’ in with a comfortable and inviting family room," 2 Jan. 2020 Maybe a cause for some of the table time-limit violations? — Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, "7 Surprising Facts About L.A.’s First Cannabis Café," 1 Oct. 2019

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.