desk

[ desk ]

noun

1. an article of furniture having a broad, usually level, writing surface, as well as drawers or compartments for papers, writing materials, etc.
2. a frame for supporting a book from which the service is read in a church.
3. a pulpit.
4. the section of a large organization, as a governmental bureau or newspaper, having authority over and responsibility for particular operations within the organization:

   city desk; foreign desk.

5. a table or counter, as in a library or office, at which a specific job is performed or a service offered:

   an information desk; reception desk.

6. a stand used to support sheet music; music stand.
7. (in an orchestra) a seat or position assigned by rank (usually used in combination):

   a first-desk flutist.

adjective

1. of or relating to a writing desk:

   a desk drawer.

2. of a size or form suitable for use on a desk:

   desk dictionary.

3. done at or based on a desk, as in an office or schoolroom:

   He used to be a traveling salesman, but now he has a desk job.

desk

/ dɛsk /

noun

1. a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
2. a service counter or table in a public building, such as a hotel

   information desk

3. a support, lectern, or book rest for the book from which services are read in a church
4. the editorial section of a newspaper, etc, responsible for a particular subject

   the news desk

5. 1. a music stand shared by two orchestral players
   2. these two players
6. modifier
   1. made for use at a desk

      a desk calendar

   2. done at a desk

      a desk job

Word History and Origins

Origin of desk¹

1350–1400; Middle English deske < Medieval Latin desca, descus desk, lectern, probably < a Romance-influenced form of Latin discus discus; dais, dish, Medieval Latin discus refectory table

Word History and Origins

Origin of desk¹

C14: from Medieval Latin desca table, from Latin discus disc, dish

Example Sentences

Pete Hegseth has spent the past eight years on the couch of a Fox News morning show defending President-elect Donald Trump and advocating for a conservative cultural shift in the US military, and he could soon be directing that agenda from behind the top desk at the Pentagon.

From BBC

She said she questioned herself while writing the book: "Why would anybody want to hear from a woman at her desk in Wiltshire writing about space when people have actually been there?"

From BBC

It shows him slumped over the desk and with his head in his hands - a stance he also adopted during recent court proceedings.

From BBC

Behind him, flanking a rolltop desk, were framed pictures of two sets of brothers: John F. and Robert F. Kennedy, and Schiff and his elder sibling, Dan.

From Los Angeles Times

Later, on his social media platform, he said that he would veto a federal abortion ban if legislation reached his desk.

From Salon

Related Words

• counter