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 medals were carried out on silver trays and after the Venezuelan match officials received theirs, Harry Kane led the whole England squad up onto the stage. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Swap a mess of tiny tea candles for a larger scented candle styled on a tray with a pair of decorative matches. — Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 18 July 2026

Several other teens dedicated themselves to the art room, where rainbow trays of acrylic markers were laid out on the tables. — Diamy Wang july 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026

If your hands are full, however, reviewers say the tray easily fits into a tote, as well as a cooler or beach bag, and isn’t too big or too small. — Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 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