desk

American  

[desk] / dɛsk /

noun

• desks
  plural

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• desks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of desk

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

Explanation

The flat-surfaced piece of furniture at which you sit and work, write, or use your computer is called a desk. Some offices have a desk for each employee. Students often sit at classroom desks arranged in rows, and you'll also find desks in libraries, offices, and homes. Your college roommate might prefer to study while lying in bed, while you like working at your desk. Someone who has a "desk job" works in an office. Desk comes from the Medieval Latin desca, "table to write on," which has a Greek root, diskos, "platter or disk."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

desk desks

Ron spasms under his desk, stifled by the small space; a colleague dries a co-worker’s hair with a piece of paper after blowing bubbles in it; Ron does the loudest meal prep you’ll ever hear.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

When you first step into South Hall, to your immediate right is “the bubble”—a barred enclosure fitted with chairs, a desk, a telephone, and a microwave.

From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026

Nick Hatcher is a news editor on The Wall Street Journal's breaking news desk in New York.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026

He said he did not find anyone at the reception desk.

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

“Oh goodness, here,” she says, reaching behind her to open the top drawer of her desk.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

“Unfortunately, someone stole a good amount of drives from our office desks this past week,” Sean Berney, a director for original film at Netflix, wrote in a June 25 email, according to the lawsuit.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026

The company introduced flexible working, fidget toys in meeting rooms, and red or green "busy lights" on desks, that allow staff to indicate whether they're happy to be disturbed.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

However, compared to a premium of 38%, these are negligible and without unforeseen obstacles, hedge funds and proprietary trading desks will be queuing up to put the trade on.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026

The final blow, in 2022, came when the company ordered employees back to their desks, starting in April.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026

The bond market had created what amounted to a double agent—a character who seemed to represent the interests of investors when he better represented the interests of Wall Street bond trading desks.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Related Words

• counter