coffee table

noun

1. a low table, usually placed in front of a sofa, for holding ashtrays, snack bowls, glasses, magazines, etc.

coffee table

noun

1. a low table, on which newspapers, etc, may be placed and coffee served
2. modifier implying an emphasis on appearance and style over substance

   coffee-table music

Word History and Origins

Origin of coffee table¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

The photographs beam off the pages, so even a baking novice will want to show off this cookbook on the coffee table.

From Eater

The reception area was tastefully outfitted with 8-bit wood floors and the standard assortment of office plants, leather furniture, and coffee table books rendered in pixel art.

From Quartz

I used to dance when I was 6 years old on my parents’ coffee table.

From Ozy

I ate this one for dinner, with a knife and fork, hunched over our coffee table while watching The Crown.

From Eater

A coffee table is the perfect place to display books, boxes, trays and other favorite objects, Contreras says.

From Washington Post

Consider it a coffee table book for edgy rock fans who bliss out on something stronger than coffee.

From The Daily Beast

After she put up a fight, she claims that Cosby left two $100 bills on her coffee table and exited her apartment.

From The Daily Beast

She set the bottles on the kitchen counter and sat in the overstuffed recliner across the coffee table from him.

From The Daily Beast

Copies of a 53-page strategic plan are on the coffee table in her office for visitors to peruse.

From The Daily Beast

Lorraine enters the room and puts a frozen cocktail on the coffee table.

From The Daily Beast

When he got there, we had arranged ourselves in the living room with the note between us on the coffee table.

From Project Gutenberg

And Isaacson drew from his pocket the letter Mrs. Armine had sent by the felucca, and laid it on the coffee-table.

From Project Gutenberg

He let himself into his apartment, switched on the light and dove underneath the coffee table.

From Project Gutenberg

During this conversation Johann Leopold had approached Johanna at her coffee-table.

From Project Gutenberg

Even today, the German family's reunion takes place around the coffee table on Sunday afternoons.

From Project Gutenberg