desk

[ desk ]

/ dɛsk /

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.

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

"Little Women" may be a classic, but that doesn't mean we all know the meanings of the vocab words from the book. Can you define these words correctly and make Jo proud?

Question 1 of 10

earnest

full seriousness, as of intention or purpose.

a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.

urgent character; imperativeness; insistence; importunateness.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

Words nearby desk

desire, desire under the elms, desired, desirous, desist, desk, desk calendar, desk clerk, desk copier, desk jobber, desk jockey

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
The door was still open, and Kit was still fussing about his desk.
Deering of Deal|Latta Griswold
Inside, a sweating adjutant toiled at a mass of papers on the desk before him.
Our Casualty And Other Stories|James Owen Hannay, AKA George A. Birmingham
He closed the door noiselessly and seating himself at his desk, proceeded with slow deliberation to open his accumulated mail.
Ann Arbor Tales|Karl Edwin Harriman
To his surprise Dr Plummer did not strike, but returned quietly to his desk.
Tom, Dick and Harry|Talbot Baines Reed
Glennard had moved away from the desk and stood leaning against the calf-backed volumes of the bookcase.
The Touchstone|Edith Wharton

British Dictionary definitions for desk

desk

/ (dɛsk) /

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

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

desk

noun

adjective

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

Origin of desk

Words nearby desk

Example sentences from the Web for desk

British Dictionary definitions for desk

noun

Word Origin for desk

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

desk

noun

adjective

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

Origin of desk

Words nearby desk

Words related to desk

Example sentences from the Web for desk

British Dictionary definitions for desk

noun

Word Origin for desk