tablet

play

noun tab·let \ ˈta-blət \

Definition of tablet

1 a :a flat slab or plaque suited for or bearing an inscription

b :a thin slab or one of a set of portable sheets used for writing

c :pad 4

2 a :a small mass of medicated material

an aspirin tablet

b :a compressed or molded block of a solid material

3 a or tablet computer :a mobile computing device that has a flat, rectangular form like that of a magazine or pad of paper, that is usually controlled by means of a touch screen, and that is typically used for accessing the Internet, watching videos, playing games, reading electronic books, etc.

b :graphics tablet

See tablet defined for English-language learners

See tablet defined for kids

Examples of tablet in a Sentence

you'll need to use your writing tablet to record all the information that the real estate agent is likely to reel off
take two tablets of the medication every eight hours

Recent Examples of tablet from the Web

Essential patents Consumers are able to use smartphones, tablets and computers from different manufacturers seamlessly because technology inside the devices works together.

— mike freeman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Clash of 2 tech titans: What Apple and Qualcomm are really fighting about," 20 Aug. 2017
Sarah Thatcher sat in front of the smart tablet used to place orders and looked over the drink options.

— david montero, chicagotribune.com, "Robot bartenders: The latest innovation to hit the Las Vegas Strip," 15 Aug. 2017
First responders currently subscribe to AT&T, Verizon or other wireless service providers and communicate via phones, tablets and other mobile devices on the same networks as other consumers.

— mark davis, kansascity, "Kansas taps AT&T to boost fire, police communications in emergencies," 15 Aug. 2017
A solid mouth wash tablet which is available in several flavors.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "Cosmetic mega god LUSH bucks big store trend, expands Louisville location," 11 Aug. 2017
To prove their identities, voters must press thumb or finger on a tablet (shown here).

— The Economist, "How to unrig an electionNew methods and technology can make elections fairer," 20 July 2017
A subsidiary of Safran, a French firm best known for aerospace technology, has delivered 45,000 tablets to check biometric voter identification at the 40,833 polling stations and to prevent multiple voting.

— The Economist, "How to unrig an electionNew methods and technology can make elections fairer," 20 July 2017
But as more people stream movies on their TVs and tablets at home than ever before, traditional theaters face an uncertain future.

— cheri lucas rowlands, Longreads, "In a League of His Own: One Man’s Mission to Make Moviegoing Fun Again," 20 July 2017
Generation Z is also fondest of tablets, with 78 percent having one in their homes.

— The Hive, "Amazon’s Secret Weapon in the Video-Streaming Wars," 18 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tablet.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of tablet

Middle English tablett, from Anglo-French tablet, diminutive of table table

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

tablet Synonyms

Synonyms

notepad, pad

Related Words

scratch pad; album, notebook, scrapbook; booklet, pamphlet

TABLET Defined for English Language Learners

tablet

play

noun

Definition of tablet for English Language Learners

: a flat piece of stone, clay, or wood that has writing on it
: a small usually round piece of medicine
: a set of paper sheets for writing or drawing that are glued or fastened at one edge