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

Try this one the next time you host brunch, or whip up a tray during Sunday meal prep for breakfast or lunch all week. —Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026

Hold it in your hand for on-the-go relief, or place it on your tray table for hands-free cooling. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026

Camilla Sartori, the facility manager, had set up a tray holding six black wineglasses, a spittoon, and two clear glasses, one filled with water and the other with a slightly sugary solution designed to be a palate cleanser. —Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026

Inspired by retro relish trays, this easy cheese spread is highly addictive thanks to the slight tang and brightness from marinated artichoke hearts and smokiness from the gouda. —Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 5 Jan. 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