tablet

noun tab·let \ ˈta-blət \

Updated on: 28 Feb 2018

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

The business is built on a simple, if implicit, premise: Young adults, with their do-everything smartphones and tablets, may not need another device to help them navigate their daily existence.

— alex williams, New York Times, "A Watch Brand by and for Millennials," 30 Oct. 2017
At the InterContinental Hotel construction site on the downtown waterfront, Hensel Phelps field engineer Andrew Cabo, pulls out his tablet and fires up an app called Raken to note progress on metal framing at the second level.

— roger showley, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Constuction workers swap pen and paper for Raken digital app," 17 Oct. 2017
Students need no help from schools developing their tablet, smartphone, or Twitter skills.

— jay mathews, Washington Post, "Hitting the return key on education," 8 Oct. 2017
For the iPad As Apple tries to market its iPad Pro tablets as a laptop alternative, the iPad’s software takes on characteristics resembling the Mac computer.

— anick jesdnun, The Seattle Times, "4 things to know about Apple’s iOS 11 software update," 19 Sep. 2017
Amazon is partnering with Kohl's to open 1,000-square-foot minishops selling smart home products, tablets, devices, and more inside ten Kohl's locations in Chicago and Los Angeles.

— kate shepherd, Chicago Reader, "News / Did You Read __________? Rauner disagrees with Madigan’s decision to join DACA lawsuit, and other Chicago news," 7 Sep. 2017
Built in 1925 with funding from local families and The American Legion, the cross honors 49 Prince George’s County men who died in the war, listing their names on a bronze tablet.

— ann e. marimow, Washington Post, "Supporters of 40-foot cross on public land ask court to revisit ruling it is unconstitutional," 1 Nov. 2017
The foam, which could replace the existing foam in football helmets, measures for impact energy, impact velocity and acceleration and can send the information instantly to a tablet.

— daniel rapaport, SI.com, "Researchers at BYU Create 'Smartfoam' to Better Monitor Concussion Risk in Real Time," 22 Sep. 2017
Titles are available for streaming on any device, inckuding Roku, iOS and Android apps on phones, tablets and smart TVs.

— matt campbell, kansascity, "This is how you can gain access to 30,000 movie titles — for free," 8 Sep. 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

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