the bench
noun
1
law
: the place where a judge sits in a court of law
The lawyer asked if he could approach the bench.
2
: a long seat where the members of a sports team wait during a game for a chance to play
He spent most of his season on the bench.
He plays better coming off the bench.
Examples of the bench in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Smart walked to the bench with his arms extended like a defensive back who had just broken up a touchdown pass.
—
Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Collin Sexton came of the bench to score 28 points for the Bulls (26-38), who have lost 16 of 19 after going 23-22 to start the season.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 9 Mar. 2026
The Heat’s starting group helped set the tone early, too, building a 15-8 lead over the Pistons before Spoelstra turned to the bench for the first time on Sunday.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
Yarbrough, a part-time starter during her freshman season, came off the bench to make 5 of 7 3-pointers and Morris made 3 of 6.
—ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the bench
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Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Collin Sexton came of the bench to score 28 points for the Bulls (26-38), who have lost 16 of 19 after going 23-22 to start the season.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 9 Mar. 2026
The Heat’s starting group helped set the tone early, too, building a 15-8 lead over the Pistons before Spoelstra turned to the bench for the first time on Sunday.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
Yarbrough, a part-time starter during her freshman season, came off the bench to make 5 of 7 3-pointers and Morris made 3 of 6.
—ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the bench
Cite this Entry
“The bench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20bench. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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