tabletop

American  

[tey-buhl-top] / ˈteɪ bəlˌtɒp /

noun

1. a surface forming or suggesting the top of a table.

2. a photograph of an arrangement of objects on top of a table.

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adjective

1. intended for use on the top of a table or the like.

2. noting or relating to an arrangement of objects, especially miniatures or models, as would be appropriate to the top of a table.

3. noting or relating to a type of game that requires the physical presence of players and the manipulation of game pieces, in contrast to video games.

Etymology

Origin of tabletop

First recorded in 1800–10; table + top ¹

Example Sentences

To investigate this possibility, the researchers designed a tabletop experiment with a two-dimensional array of freely rotating magnetic elements positioned above a second magnetic layer.

From Science Daily • Mar. 22, 2026

It features hanging macrame chairs, a tabletop mindfulness garden and refreshments such as sparkling water, hot tea and Japanese whiskey.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 2, 2026

Exquisite, also, is a grouping of several soft-paste-biscuit tabletop figurines—classical and idyllic scenes depicting lovers, children, goddesses and bathers, all designed by Boucher.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 1, 2025

The menu includes tabletop grills piled high with grilled short ribs, flap meat, sausage, beef sweetbreads, black sausage, and other deliciousness.

From Salon • Sep. 29, 2025

She rapped on the ice tabletop with her knuckles.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack