desk

American  

[desk] / dɛsk /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Etymology

Origin of desk

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

Example Sentences

Nervous about making a big mistake, which she didn’t, she kept multiple screens on her desk to keep track of research, took copious notes and reviewed them repeatedly before a meeting.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It’s almost the opposite of a desk job. I go up in a plane on a Saturday, and one hour later, I’m at the beach.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Some families stash their phones in another room while the movie is playing, or set them face down on a nearby desk.

From The Wall Street Journal

He could walk to Anastasia's room, and if his arms reached far enough—he was pretty certain they would—he could pull all the papers off her desk and crumple them into balls.

From Literature

In a desk note published Friday, he also posited that how Glencore approaches their coal and iron ore business strategically is key to stock performance in the next year.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• counter