desk

[ desk ]

noun

1. an article of furniture having a broad, usually level, writing surface, as well as drawers or compartments for papers, writing materials, etc.
2. a frame for supporting a book from which the service is read in a church.
3. a pulpit.
4. the section of a large organization, as a governmental bureau or newspaper, having authority over and responsibility for particular operations within the organization:

   city desk; foreign desk.

5. a table or counter, as in a library or office, at which a specific job is performed or a service offered:

   an information desk; reception desk.

6. a stand used to support sheet music; music stand.
7. (in an orchestra) a seat or position assigned by rank (usually used in combination):

   a first-desk flutist.

adjective

1. of or relating to a writing desk:

   a desk drawer.

2. of a size or form suitable for use on a desk:

   desk dictionary.

3. done at or based on a desk, as in an office or schoolroom:

   He used to be a traveling salesman, but now he has a desk job.

desk

/ dɛsk /

noun

1. a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
2. a service counter or table in a public building, such as a hotel

   information desk

3. a support, lectern, or book rest for the book from which services are read in a church
4. the editorial section of a newspaper, etc, responsible for a particular subject

   the news desk

5. 1. a music stand shared by two orchestral players
   2. these two players
6. modifier
   1. made for use at a desk

      a desk calendar

   2. done at a desk

      a desk job

Word History and Origins

Origin of desk¹

1350–1400; Middle English deske < Medieval Latin desca, descus desk, lectern, probably < a Romance-influenced form of Latin discus discus; dais, dish, Medieval Latin discus refectory table

Word History and Origins

Origin of desk¹

C14: from Medieval Latin desca table, from Latin discus disc, dish

Example Sentences

I was sick in street gutters, onto my desk, at dinners with friends.

From The Daily Beast

But Scott, in taking the parlance of the street to the SportsCenter desk, helped affirm its ascendance.

From The Daily Beast

President Harry Truman kept a sign on his desk that read: “The Buck Stops Here.”

From The Daily Beast

While the desk sergeant ran a background check, he was roughed up by another officer in the lock-up.

From The Daily Beast

She suggested that Gregory stack newspapers on his desk to give the set an intimate, coffeehouse feel.

From The Daily Beast

At his desk sat his secretary, who had been a witness of the interview, lost in wonder almost as great as the Seneschal's own.

From Project Gutenberg

Taking his stand at the end of the desk, he made MacRae reiterate in detail the grim happenings of that night.

From Project Gutenberg

Dobson, mouth agape, struck a little bell on the desk and the orderly stepped in from the outer room.

From Project Gutenberg

When I again turned to Lessard he still stood at the end of the desk, industriously paring his fingernails.

From Project Gutenberg

He took his accustomed seat at the desk, and placed a large ledger before him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• counter