table

American  

[tey-buhl] / ˈteɪ bəl /

noun

1. an article of furniture consisting of a flat, slablike top supported on one or more legs or other supports.

   a kitchen table;

   an operating table;

   a pool table.

2. such a piece of furniture specifically used for serving food to those seated at it.

3. the food placed on a table to be eaten.

   She sets a good table.

4. a group of persons at a table, as for a meal, game, or business transaction.

5. a gaming table.

6. a flat or plane surface; a level area.

7. a tableland or plateau.

8. a concise list or guide.

   The table of contents in the front of the book includes chapter names and page numbers.

9. an arrangement of words, numbers, or signs, or combinations of them, as in parallel columns, to exhibit a set of facts or relations in a definite, compact, and comprehensive form; a synopsis or scheme.

10. Astronomy. Table, the constellation Mensa.

11. a flat and relatively thin piece of wood, stone, metal, or other hard substance, especially one artificially shaped for a particular purpose.

12. Architecture.

    1. a course or band, especially of masonry, having a distinctive form or position.

    2. a distinctively treated surface on a wall.

13. a smooth, flat board or slab on which inscriptions may be put.

14. tables,

    1. the tablets on which certain collections of laws were anciently inscribed.

       the tables of the Decalogue.

    2. the laws themselves.

15. Anatomy. the inner or outer hard layer or any of the flat bones of the skull.

16. Music. a sounding board.

17. Jewelry.

    1. the upper horizontal surface of a faceted gem.

    2. a gem with such a surface.

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verb (used with object)

tabled, tabling

1. to place (a card, money, etc.) on a table.

2. to enter in or form into a table or list.

3. Parliamentary Procedure.

   1. Chiefly U.S. to lay aside (a proposal, resolution, etc.) for future discussion, usually with a view to postponing or shelving the matter indefinitely.

   2. British. to present (a proposal, resolution, etc.) for discussion.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or for use on a table.

   a table lamp.

2. suitable for serving at a table or for eating or drinking.

   table grapes.

idioms

1. wait (on) table, to work as a waiter or waitress: Also wait tables.

   He worked his way through college by waiting table.

2. on the table,

   1. U.S. postponed.

   2. British. submitted for consideration.

3. turn the tables, to cause a reversal of an existing situation, especially with regard to gaining the upper hand over a competitor, rival, antagonist, etc.: We turned the tables on them and undersold them by 50 percent.

   Fortune turned the tables and we won.

   We turned the tables on them and undersold them by 50 percent.

4. under the table,

   1. drunk.

   2. as a bribe; secretly.

      She gave money under the table to get the apartment.

table British  

/ ˈteɪbəl /

noun

1. a flat horizontal slab or board, usually supported by one or more legs, on which objects may be placed

2. 1. such a slab or board on which food is served

      we were six at table

   2. ( as modifier )

      table linen

   3. ( in combination )

      a tablecloth

3. food as served in a particular household or restaurant

   a good table

4. such a piece of furniture specially designed for any of various purposes

   a backgammon table

   bird table

5. 1. a company of persons assembled for a meal, game, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      table talk

6. any flat or level area, such as a plateau

7. a rectangular panel set below or above the face of a wall

8. architect another name for cordon

9. an upper horizontal facet of a cut gem

10. music the sounding board of a violin, guitar, or similar stringed instrument

11. 1. an arrangement of words, numbers, or signs, usually in parallel columns, to display data or relations

       a table of contents

    2. See multiplication table

12. a tablet on which laws were inscribed by the ancient Romans, the Hebrews, etc

13. palmistry an area of the palm's surface bounded by four lines

14. printing a slab of smooth metal on which ink is rolled to its proper consistency

15. 1. either of the two bony plates that form the inner and outer parts of the flat bones of the cranium

    2. any thin flat plate, esp of bone

16. put forward for discussion and acceptance

    we currently have our final offer on the table

17. to cause a complete reversal of circumstances, esp to defeat or get the better of someone who was previously in a stronger position

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verb

1. to place on a table

2. to submit (a bill, etc) for consideration by a legislative body

3. to suspend discussion of (a bill, etc) indefinitely or for some time

4. to enter in or form into a list; tabulate

table More Idioms  

1. see clear out (the table); lay one's cards on the table; on the table; set the table; turn the tables; under the table; wait at table.

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Other Word Forms

• tableful noun
• tableless adjective
• untabled adjective

Etymology

Origin of table

First recorded before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English tabule, variant of tabula, from Latin: “plank, tablet”; (verb) late Middle English: “to record on a table, entertain at table,” derivative of the noun

Example Sentences

Applegate was crouching at the scorer’s table waiting to be buzzed in.

From Los Angeles Times

Hammers boss Nuno said last weekend's dismal 3-0 defeat against bottom of the table Wolves was the worst of his managerial career.

From Barron's

The rightmost column of the table shows the funds’ net expense ratios, which match the gross annual expenses as percentages of assets under management, with one exception.

From MarketWatch

Those films left viewers talking long after they departed the theater, ready to relive memories and quotes over the dinner table, at school and at parties.

From Salon

Newly-promoted Pisa, who have won only once in 19 matches, remain bottom of the table with 12 points the same as Fiorentina and Verona.

From Barron's

Related Words

• bar
• bench
• board
• buffet
• counter
• desk
• dinner table
• stand