table

[ tey-buhl ]

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. Table, Astronomy. 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.

verb (used with object)

, ta·bled, ta·bling.

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.

table

/ ˈteɪbəl /

noun

1. a flat horizontal slab or board, usually supported by one or more legs, on which objects may be placed mensal
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. on the table
    put forward for discussion and acceptance

    we currently have our final offer on the table

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

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

Derived Forms

• ˈtableful, noun
• ˈtableless, adjective

Other Words From

• table·less adjective
• un·tabled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of table¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of table¹

C12: via Old French from Latin tabula a writing tablet

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on the table, Parliamentary Procedure.
   1. U.S. postponed.
   2. British. submitted for consideration.
2. 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.

3. under the table,
   1. drunk.
   2. as a bribe; secretly:

      She gave money under the table to get the apartment.

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

   He worked his way through college by waiting table.

More idioms and phrases containing table

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 .

Example Sentences

She got her start waiting tables at the Redd Foxx Club on La Cienega Boulevard in West Hollywood, but was noticed for her beauty and invited on stage, where she was a natural.

From Los Angeles Times

With Scotland's prison population approaching "crisis" point, the Scottish government has tabled plans to let more prisoners out early.

From BBC

Some clubs, including Nottingham Forest and Brighton - who are fifth and sixth in the table respectively - only have six matches in the final month of 2024.

From BBC

She used the arrangements to line the aisle during the actual wedding and then decorate the table during the reception dinner that night.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet, it’s back on the table, teed up by congressional Republicans as a deficit-cutting tool.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• defer
• propose
• put off
• shelve
• submit
• suggest