desk
an article of furniture having a broad, usually level, writing surface, as well as drawers or compartments for papers, writing materials, etc.
a frame for supporting a book from which the service is read in a church.
a pulpit.
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.
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.
a stand used to support sheet music; music stand.
(in an orchestra) a seat or position assigned by rank (usually used in combination): a first-desk flutist.
of or relating to a writing desk: a desk drawer.
of a size or form suitable for use on a desk: desk dictionary.
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.
Origin of desk
1Words Nearby desk
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use desk in a sentence
I was sick in street gutters, onto my desk, at dinners with friends.
I Tried to Warn You About Sleazy Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein in 2003 | Vicky Ward | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTBut Scott, in taking the parlance of the street to the SportsCenter desk, helped affirm its ascendance.
Remembering ESPN’s Sly, Cocky, and Cool Anchor Stuart Scott | Stereo Williams | January 4, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTPresident Harry Truman kept a sign on his desk that read: “The Buck Stops Here.”
The ‘No Child’ Rewrite Threatens Your Kids’ Future | Jonah Edelman | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTWhile the desk sergeant ran a background check, he was roughed up by another officer in the lock-up.
What Would Happen if I Got in White Cop’s Face? | Goldie Taylor | December 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTShe suggested that Gregory stack newspapers on his desk to give the set an intimate, coffeehouse feel.
David Gregory's 'Meet the Press' Eviction Exposed in Washingtonian Takedown | Lloyd Grove | December 23, 2014 | 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.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael SabatiniTaking his stand at the end of the desk, he made MacRae reiterate in detail the grim happenings of that night.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairDobson, mouth agape, struck a little bell on the desk and the orderly stepped in from the outer room.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairWhen I again turned to Lessard he still stood at the end of the desk, industriously paring his fingernails.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairHe took his accustomed seat at the desk, and placed a large ledger before him.
British Dictionary definitions for desk
/ (dɛsk) /
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
a service counter or table in a public building, such as a hotel: information desk
a support, lectern, or book rest for the book from which services are read in a church
the editorial section of a newspaper, etc, responsible for a particular subject: the news desk
a music stand shared by two orchestral players
these two players
(modifier)
made for use at a desk: a desk calendar
done at a desk: a desk job
Origin of desk
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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