desk

[desk]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR desk ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

adjective

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

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for desk

counter, davenport, escritoire, secretary, workspace

Examples from the Web for desk

Contemporary Examples of desk

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
President 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
While 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
She 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 man behind the desk is a fictional character—a ferocious patriot exposing the limits of rigid ideology.
The End of Truthiness: Stephen Colbert’s Sublime Finale
Noel Murray
December 19, 2014

Historical Examples of desk

He went over to the desk and began to scribble a name on the pad of paper.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
"I knew he'd plunge," he said, taking the chair proffered him, near Shepler's desk.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
Then he walked carelessly across to the desk and asked for his bill.
Way of the Lawless
Max Brand
He found Austin sitting on the chair by his desk, resting his chin on his elbow.
Viviette
William J. Locke
For a time Grace sat at her desk with the letter in her hand.
Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus
Jessie Graham Flower

British Dictionary definitions for desk

desk

noun

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 hotelinformation 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 subjectthe news desk

a music stand shared by two orchestral players
these two players

(modifier)

made for use at a deska desk calendar
done at a deska desk job

Word Origin for desk

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

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

Word Origin and History for desk

mid-14c., from Medieval Latin desca "table to write on" (mid-13c.), from Latin discus "quoit, platter, dish," from Greek diskos. The Medieval Latin is perhaps via Italian desco. Used figuratively of office or clerical work since 1797; desk job is first attested 1965.