copy desk

noun

, Journalism.

1. the desk in a newspaper office at which copy is edited and prepared for printing. Compare slot ¹( def 5 ).

copy desk

noun

1. journalism a desk where copy is edited

Word History and Origins

Origin of copy desk¹

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30

Example Sentences

He previously worked on the Metro copy desk.

From New York Times

“Print newspapers were flourishing, The Times still came out in the afternoon and we were expanding our suburban editions,” remembers Karen Cater, copy editor and former copy desk chief.

From Seattle Times

She spent 17 years in The Times newsroom, most recently as front-page editor/copy desk chief and also was arts editor and a copy editor.

From Seattle Times

“But how do we do that with ... no audio team, with a decimated audience team and a skeleton crew on the copy desk? These are critical roles.”

From Los Angeles Times

A colleague told me later that the thought the anger was unusual coming from me, as I was typically a polite Mr. Dependable around the copy desk.

From Salon