desk

American  

[desk] / dɛsk /

noun

• desks
  plural

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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• desks
  plural

Etymology

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

Explanation

The flat-surfaced piece of furniture at which you sit and work, write, or use your computer is called a desk. Some offices have a desk for each employee. Students often sit at classroom desks arranged in rows, and you'll also find desks in libraries, offices, and homes. Your college roommate might prefer to study while lying in bed, while you like working at your desk. Someone who has a "desk job" works in an office. Desk comes from the Medieval Latin desca, "table to write on," which has a Greek root, diskos, "platter or disk."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

desk desks

The Senate already passed its own version, S. 1525, which has been sitting at the House desk since Aug. 10.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

“They had the time to go through the museum director’s desk and find the key. They could loot it all at their leisure.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

I told the receptionist at the front desk where I was going, and she said she felt guilty that she couldn’t be there herself, because of her evening shift.

From Slate ● Sep. 8, 2026

He retired in 2022 after a 38-year career at the Journal, where he was a reporter, a bureau chief in Tokyo and San Francisco, and a senior editor on the Page One desk.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026

I lean forward and rest my forehead on the edge of the desk and breathe.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

It was there I encountered the stories about government workers being ordered back to their desks by the Giuliani administration in the hot zone.

From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2026

Dozens of “staff members” fill rows of desks in the bullpen — some clack away on keyboards, others have phone receivers sandwiched between their head and shoulders while taking notes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

With three empty desks in the classrooms, some parents were reluctant to send their children back for the new school year.

From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026

Dust and debris covered chairs and desks in the regional ministry offices.

From Barron's ● Sep. 6, 2026

I pick at the cap to my gel pen as the last few stragglers make it to their desks before the final class bell rings.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila

Related Words

• counter