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

The paper ballots would arrive that very night at the county’s election center and they’d be run through scanners as fast as they could be taken out of the containers and lined up in a tray. —Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 3 June 2026

And no matter the time of day or the season, make sure to sidle up to the lobby bar and sample cocktails that are inspired by the hotel’s botanical garden—made better with the trays of complimentary nibbles that get refilled any number of times. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

Simply remove the clear plastic lid, melt the garlic herb butter and drizzle on top, then cover the tray in aluminum foil, and bake—that’s it! —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 2 June 2026

This refillable starter bundle includes the Woof Pupsicle dog toy, re-freezable treat trays (which can also be used for DIY pupsicles) and one bag of freezable treats. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 2 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