tablet

noun tab·let \ ˈta-blət \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Examples: tablet in a Sentence

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 : ¹pad 2

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

Other products enable customers to design and view kitchens or bathrooms in 3-D on a smartphone or tablet.

— WSJ, "TA Associates Agrees to Back Compusoft," 11 July 2018
But now, reports the BBC, archeologists in Greece have found 13 verses from The Odyssey chiseled into a clay tablet dating to the third century A.D. or earlier, representing the oldest lines of the poet found in the ancient land.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Oldest Greek Fragment of Homer Discovered on Clay Tablet," 11 July 2018
Specs of the device popped up years later, showing a tablet less powerful than the Go announced today.

— rachel lerman, The Seattle Times, "Microsoft unveils smaller, cheaper Surface tablet," 9 July 2018
The app also allows users to view events that set off alarms through live video monitoring that can be observed through a smartphone or tablet.

— necee regis, BostonGlobe.com, "A new Nantucket hotel, Cayman Islands refunds, and other tidbits," 26 June 2018
Somewhere, etched into a tablet in a cave, is this saying: Nerds beget nerds.

— sarah mupo, STAT, "The 39 best health and science books to read this summer," 25 June 2018
Open your Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet, tap the menu icon (the three horizontal lines on the upper left corner) then tap Skills.

— kim komando, Fox News, "21 clever Alexa commands you will use again and again," 9 June 2018
The only way to learn how to be with other people in a civil and caring manner is to spend more time with them than one’s smartphone or tablet.

— philip chard, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Put down the smartphone and become more human," 31 May 2018
Multiple laptops, a tablet and other property were stolen from a vehicle. Washington Blvd.

— Washington Post, "Crime reports for Anne Arundel and Howard counties and for Annapolis," 12 July 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

tablet Synonyms

Synonyms

cap, capsule, lozenge, pill;

miracle drug, wonder drug;

potion, preparation;

dosage, dose;

TABLET Defined for English Language Learners

tablet

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