plural desks
1
: a piece of furniture that is like a table and often has drawers
Note: People often sit at desks when they are writing or using a computer.
Note: Often desk refers specifically to the desk a person uses to do his or her job.
—often used before another nouna desk lamp/calendar/chair
She left her desk job [=the job that she did while sitting at a desk] to become a farmer.
2
: a place where people can get information or be served at an office, a hotel, etc.
an information desk at an airport
We will ask for directions to the restaurant at the front desk.
We went to the reception desk to check into our room.
3
: the part of a company or organization that deals with a particular subject
the television network's financial/foreign desk
the newspaper's sports desk
the news desk [=the office where news is gathered to be reported in a newspaper, on television, etc.]
Cite this Entry
“Desk.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/desk. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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