tablet

noun

tab·​let ˈta-blət 

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 entry 1 sense 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

Synonyms

• notepad
• pad

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 on the Web

State troopers found 31 oxycodone tablets inside the car. —Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2024

In recent days, lots of users checked their TV, tablet, or phone to find the streaming app had a new logo — the iconic Disney blue replaced by a glowing green background. —The Verge, 18 Apr. 2024

Multiple pockets and a sturdy shoulder strap keep it ideal for travel, and the main compartment is roomy enough to even hold up to a 10.1-inch tablet. —Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2024

For the cover of the April 22 & 29, 2024, Innovation & Tech Issue, Ana Juan depicts a cat exercising its hunting instinct on a digital tablet, ignoring the real-life mice right behind it—a scene that both illustrates and allegorizes the pernicious appeal of today’s digital pastimes. —Françoise Mouly, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024

When presented with a balloon-popping game on a tablet, parrots showed signs of mental stimulation. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024

For instance, California gives prisoners digital tablets that can be used for communications and entertainment, and since late 2021 has gradually been providing secure laptops to prisoners who are enrolled in college, GED, and high school diploma programs. —Don Thompson, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024

Target This is our favorite tablet under $200, and this deal brings it down to under $100. —Medea Giordano, WIRED, 8 Apr. 2024

There are tablets now for grass, ragweed and dust mites, but if trees are the culprit, allergy shots are the only way to go. —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing tablet

• digitizing tablet
• graphics tablet
• tablet computer

Kids Definition

tablet

noun

tab·​let ˈtab-lət 

1

a

: a flat slab suited for an inscription

b

: pad entry 2 sense 4

2

a

: a compressed or molded block of a solid material

b

: a small usually round mass of material containing medicine

aspirin tablet

3

a

: graphics tablet

b

or tablet computer : a mobile computing device that has a flat rectangular form, is usually controlled by means of a touch screen, and is typically used for accessing the Internet, watching videos, and reading e-books

Medical Definition

tablet

noun

tab·​let ˈtab-lət 

: a small mass of medicated material (as in the shape of a disk)

an aspirin tablet