tableful

[ tey-buhl-fool ]

noun

, plural ta·ble·fuls.

1. the number of persons that can be seated at a table.
2. the amount of food, dishes, etc., that a table can hold.

Spelling Note

See -ful.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tableful¹

First recorded in 1525–35; table + -ful

Example Sentences

Here’s the intolerable extreme foodie, out to show how much he knows in pedantic detail; the tableful of tech bros, braying and boasting; the wealthy older couple, oblivious zombies of privilege; the minor movie star acting like a major tool; and, yes, that is definitely the very important restaurant critic who seems to have digested a particularly pretentious thesaurus and showers the world with the results.

From Seattle Times

“A land where shrimp cascaded by the tableful, just there for the taking,” Tom marvels.

From New York Times

Pizza boxes littered what looked like a tableful of detritus, but under one lay a framed James Beard certificate.

From Seattle Times

Lauren K’s backyard has a tableful of food.

From Literature

Only a tableful of fans attended the “Hockey Happy Hour” out of 2,200 or so registered page members, but then again, when you’re dealing with a team still two-plus years away from even playing you’ve got to start somewhere.

From Seattle Times