round table

noun

a number of persons gathered together for conference, discussion of some subject, etc., and often seated at a round table.

the discussion, topic of discussion, or the conference itself.

(initial capital letter) Arthurian Romance.

the table, made round to avoid quarrels as to precedence, about which King Arthur and his knights sat.
King Arthur and his knights.

Also round·ta·ble (for defs 1, 2).

Origin of round table

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300

round-table

[round-tey-buh l]

adjective

noting or pertaining to a conference, discussion, or deliberation in which each participant has equal status, equal time to present views, etc.: round-table discussions.

Origin of round-table

First recorded in 1820–30

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for roundtable

Contemporary Examples of roundtable

She serves as the primary substitute for George Stephanopoulos on This Week and contributes regularly to the roundtable.
The Hero Summit 2013 Speakers
September 10, 2013
When the small deal finally came, the Roundtable issued a sad-face note.
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January 9, 2013
Watch the actor gush over the vice president on Beast TV's live DNC roundtable.
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The Daily Beast Video
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Rush was holding a roundtable to discuss recruiting, financial compensation for athletes, and scholarship terms.
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Nicholas McCarvel
March 28, 2012
At our roundtable, she explained the logic behind that decision.
George Clooney’s Worst Job? 10 Best Newsweek Oscar Roundtable Bits
Ramin Setoodeh, David Ansen
January 23, 2012

British Dictionary definitions for roundtable

round table

noun

a meeting of parties or people on equal terms for discussion
(as modifier)a round-table conference

Round Table

noun the Round Table

(in Arthurian legend) the table of King Arthur, shaped so that his knights could sit around it without any having precedence

Arthur and his knights collectively

one of an organization of clubs of young business and professional men who meet in order to further social and business activities and charitable work

(in New Zealand) an organization of businessmen supporting policies of the New Right

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

Word Origin and History for roundtable

round-table

also roundtable, 1826 in reference to a gathering of persons in which all are accorded equal status (there being no head of a round table.) King Arthur's Round Table is attested from c.1300, translating Old French table ronde (1155, in Wace's Roman de Brut).