tray

¹

[ trey ]

noun

1. a flat, shallow container or receptacle made of wood, metal, etc., usually with slightly raised edges, used for carrying, holding, or displaying articles of food, glass, china, etc.
2. a removable receptacle of this shape in a cabinet, box, trunk, or the like, sometimes forming a drawer.
3. a tray and its contents:

   to order a breakfast tray from room service.

tray

²

[ trey ]

noun

, Australian Slang.

1. a coin worth threepence.

tray

/ treɪ /

noun

1. a thin flat board or plate of metal, plastic, etc, usually with a raised edge, on which things can be carried
2. a shallow receptacle for papers, etc, sometimes forming a drawer in a cabinet or box

Word History and Origins

Origin of tray¹

before 1050; Middle English; Old English trēg, trīg; cognate with Old Swedish trö corn measure; akin to tree

Origin of tray²

1895–1900; compare earlier argot trey, tray three, a set of three, probably ultimately < Italian tre (< Latin trēs three ); trey

Word History and Origins

Origin of tray¹

Old English trieg ; related to Old Swedish trö corn measure, Old Norse treyja carrier, Greek driti tub, German Trog trough

Example Sentences

Objects packed with the highest levels of these chemicals included a sushi tray, a beaded necklace and a spatula.

From Salon

Meal trays were stacked at the foot of the bed and clothes were scattered nearby.

From Los Angeles Times

There is a foldable tray table attached to each one.

From BBC

As he finished a joint of Pure Beauty Spritzer, a budtender delivered a roll of Starburst candy and a box of water to him on a silver tray.

From Los Angeles Times

Small bits of food can often stick to seats, tray tables and screens and be transferred from hands to the mouth or face.

From BBC

Related Words

• plate