tray

noun

ˈtrā 

: an open receptacle with a flat bottom and a low rim for holding, carrying, or exhibiting articles

trayful

ˈtrā-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Examples of tray in a Sentence

She carried the tray of food to our table.

a car with several storage trays

Recent Examples on the Web

Later, the market not only sent thank-you sandwich trays to the APD but also took part in a community day of gratitude for all first responders of that tragic event. — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

Stack them in your cookie jar or slice them up for a holiday cookie tray. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 26 July 2026

Others were eating macarons from the dessert trays, using the bathroom or mingling in the lobby. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Pesto can also be frozen in an airtight container or ice cube tray for up to three months. — Martha Stewart, 25 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English trīg, trēg; akin to Old Swedish trø wooden grain measure and probably to Old English trēow tree — more at tree entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tray

• baking tray
• in tray
• litter tray
• out tray
• tea tray

Rhymes for tray

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• fray

Kids Definition

tray

noun

ˈtrā 

: an open container with flat bottom and low rim for holding, carrying, or exhibiting articles

trayful

-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Medical Definition

tray

noun

ˈtrā 

: an appliance consisting of a flanged body and a handle for use in holding plastic material against the gums or teeth in making negative impressions for dentures