desk

[desk]

noun

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.

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of desk¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of desk¹

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

Example Sentences

Joining Fernando at Goldman’s New York office, he set about trying to expand Goldman’s Mexico interest-rate trading desk, which had been going through a lot of turnover.

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Sitting in a recliner in his library, he’d grab green Value Line binders from a nearby desk and pore through data on publicly traded companies.

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Gopal said he keeps a sign on his desk that reads “Do not act with compulsion.”

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Smaller open spaces with desks would be surrounded by different types of workstations, including private offices and group meeting rooms but also spaces for solo work and two-person lounges for collaborative work.

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Williams was also told that some trading desks are reluctant to borrow from the SRF because it diverts financial resources they could otherwise devote to trading with regular clients, the people said.

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Related Words

• counter