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

Accepted items include packing material, cups, clamshells, meat trays, egg cartons and ice chests. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026

The Blank Slate Truck has bucket seats and a center tray with cup holders and open bins. — Sara Lacey, The Drive, 25 June 2026

In 2024, a photo of the deli case showed a heaping tray of lobster salad nestled among other prepared foods — and the jaw-dropping $120-per-pound price tag. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2026

This bronze sculpture of three Purépecha women lifting a tray of fruit to the sky is a gift to Kansas City from our sister city of Morelia, Mexico. — Eric Adler june 24, Kansas City Star, 24 June 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