place mat

American  

noun

1. a mat set on a dining table beneath a place setting.

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Etymology

Origin of place mat

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

“I think you need to eat something,” she said, slapping the bowl onto a place mat, and she was right.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2025

Here seen in an intricately beaded place mat and accompanying charger, gold is the foundation on which this place setting is built, a perfect complement to the metallic design elements found in the centerpiece.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 15, 2022

Here’s a tea towel that begs for that application, or even to be used as a place mat.

From New York Times • Dec. 6, 2021

So for almost two weeks straight, after we put away the third place mat on the dinner table, we ate out or ordered in, saving leftovers for lunch.

From Washington Post • Oct. 10, 2021

I lay down a place mat and Alexa tops it with a plate.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio