bench

[ bench ]

/ bɛntʃ /

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noun

a long seat for several people: a bench in the park.

a seat occupied by an official, especially a judge.

such a seat as a symbol of the office and dignity of an individual judge or the judiciary.

the office or dignity of various other officials, or the officials themselves.

the seat on which the players of a team sit during a game while not playing.
the quality and number of the players of a team who are usually used as substitutes: A weak bench hurt their chances for the championship.
the quality and number of professionals or experts in reserve, to be called upon as needed: The country has a deep bench of scientists.

Informal. bench press.

Also called workbench. the strong worktable of a carpenter or other mechanic.

a platform on which animals are placed for exhibition, especially at a dog show.

a contest or exhibition of dogs; dog show.

Physical Geography. a shelflike area of rock with steep slopes above and below.

Mining. a step or working elevation in a mine.

berm (def. 2).

verb (used with object)

to furnish with benches.

to seat on a bench or on the bench: an election that benched him in the district court.

to place (a show dog or other animal) in exhibition.

to cut away the working faces of (a mine or quarry) in benches.

Sports. to remove from a game or keep from participating in a game: to be benched because of poor hitting.

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Idioms about bench

on the bench,

serving as a judge in a court of law; presiding.
Sports. (of a player) not participating in play, either for part or all of a game.

Origin of bench

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English benc; cognate with Old Frisian benk, Old Saxon, Dutch, Old High German bank, Old Norse bekkr, from unattested Germanic bank-iz; see bank¹

OTHER WORDS FROM bench

bench·less, adjectiveun·bench, verb (used with object)

Other definitions for bench (2 of 2)

Bench

[ bench ]

/ bɛntʃ /

noun

Johnny, born 1947, U.S. baseball player.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bench in a sentence

To get into the starting position, consider moving your weights to a bench first and then lifting them into position rather than lifting them directly from the floor.
Strength Training for Lower-Back Pain|Lauren Bedosky|November 18, 2020|Outside Online
Tiana Mangakahia watches a November 2019 Syracuse game from the bench next to teammate Taleah Washington.
After Beating Cancer, This Syracuse Point Guard Is Coming For The Record Books|Howard Megdal|November 17, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Unlike his first two games this season, when he came off the bench after taking limited reps in practice, Smith will get all the practice reps with Washington’s first-team offense this week.
So much has changed since Alex Smith last started for Washington. The offense might, too.|Nicki Jhabvala|November 12, 2020|Washington Post
If you see vendors hustling between tables and mostly Moroccans filling the benches, you’ll know you’re in the right spot.
Five Must-Try Dishes in Casablanca, Morocco|Amanda Ponzio-Mouttaki|November 11, 2020|Eater

The raised platform also gives you a bench to sit on when you’re changing, unpacking, or taking off shoes.
A Camp Cot Is the Key to Sleeping Well in the Woods|Graham Averill|November 9, 2020|Outside Online
"No, no; I'm not hurt," she panted, sinking on the cushioned benching where usually rows of semi-sea-sick people were lying.
The Kentons|William Dean Howells
Before drawing my remarks to a close, I would briefly indicate the nature of the various machines shown upon the power benching.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 598, June 18, 1887|Various
The closing of the door behind Northwick roused a little black figure drooping forward on the benching in one corner.
The Quality of Mercy|W. D. Howells

British Dictionary definitions for bench

bench

/ (bɛntʃ) /

noun

a long seat for more than one person, usually lacking a back or arms

a plain stout worktable

the bench (sometimes capital)

a judge or magistrate sitting in court in a judicial capacity
judges or magistrates collectively

sport the seat on which reserve players and officials sit during a game

geology a flat narrow platform of land, esp one marking a former shoreline

a ledge in a mine or quarry from which work is carried out

(in a gymnasium) a low table, which may be inclined, used for various exercises

a platform on which dogs or other domestic animals are exhibited at shows

NZ a hollow on a hillside formed by sheep

verb (tr)

to provide with benches

to exhibit (a dog, etc) at a show

NZ to form (a track) up a hill by excavating a flattened area

US and Canadian sport to take or keep (a player) out of a game, often for disciplinary reasons

Word Origin for bench

Old English benc; related to Old Norse bekkr, Old High German bank, Danish, Swedish bänk; see bank ³

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with bench

bench

see on the bench; warm the bench.

bench

Idioms about bench

Origin of bench

OTHER WORDS FROM bench

Other definitions for bench (2 of 2)

Words related to bench

How to use bench in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bench

Word Origin for bench

Other Idioms and Phrases with bench