table

noun, often attributive ta·ble \ ˈtā-bəl \

Updated on: 30 Nov 2017

Definition of table

1 a : a piece of furniture consisting of a smooth flat slab fixed on legs

b (1) : a group of people assembled at or as if at a table

(2) : a legislative or negotiating session

the bargaining table

c (1) : a supply or source of food

(2) : an act or instance of assembling to eat : meal

sit down to table

2 a : a systematic arrangement of data usually in rows and columns for ready reference

b : a condensed enumeration : list

a table of contents

3 : tablet 1a

4 a tables plural : backgammon

b : one of the two leaves of a backgammon board or either half of a leaf

5 : stringcourse

6 : something that resembles a table especially in having a plane surface: such as

a : the upper flat surface of a cut precious stone — see brilliant illustration

b (1) : tableland

(2) : a horizontal stratum

— on the table

: up for consideration or negotiation

the subject is not on the table

— under the table

1 : into a stupor

can drink you under the table

2 : in a covert manner

took money under the table

See table defined for English-language learners

See table defined for kids

Examples of table in a Sentence

They were sitting at the dining table.
She reserved a table for two at the restaurant.
He had the attention of the entire table.
The table shows the salary of each employee.

Recent Examples of table from the Web

Now, the same challenge is on the table for the finishing kick of Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Baylor.

— carlos mendez, star-telegram, "How the TCU Horned Frogs view the rest of the season after beating Texas," 5 Nov. 2017
Soaring Prices South Sudan’s soaring food prices, slumping currency and chronic food shortages are leaving many families struggling to put meals on the table, the United Nations aid coordination office in the country said in an Oct. 27 statement.

— okech francis, Bloomberg.com, "Civil War Leaves South Sudanese Officials Hustling for Food," 3 Nov. 2017
Hearth & Hand will have a display featuring table settings and signs with Joanna's decorating tips.

— megan friedman, Country Living, "Here's What Chip and Joanna Gaines' New Collection Will Look Like at Target Stores," 31 Oct. 2017
Some of the tantalizing characters leave a lot unexplored on the table (most notably, Varrone’s depressively intellectual classic rock DJ).

— chris jones, chicagotribune.com, "At Second City, 'Dream Freaks Fall From Space' offers hope in a divided world," 27 Oct. 2017
The mix of bold patterns, soft colors and varying textures brings interest to the table, from every angle.

— hillary brown, House Beautiful, "This Colorful Tablescape Is the Epitome of Casual Chic," 26 Oct. 2017
We are bound to one another by the kind of esprit de corps that comes with the pursuit of magic—magic in the vineyards, on the table, at the drawing board.

— Town & Country, "A Tribute to the Napa Valley," 26 Oct. 2017
Those questions and more are on the table in the new episode of the podcast, which also includes a breakdown of the drama surrounding the UK football program in the wake of a blowout loss at Mississippi State (23:10).

— jon hale, The Courier-Journal, "CatsHQ podcast: Is Kentucky basketball ranked too high in preseason polls?," 24 Oct. 2017
Still, if Metro manages to get another transportation tax approved by voters, don’t be surprised if a Sunset line is on the table.

— neal broverman, Los Angeles Magazine, "7 Iconic L.A. Destinations Metro Should Connect to," 24 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'table.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of table

Middle English, from Old English tabule & Anglo-French table; both from Latin tabula board, tablet, list

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

table Synonyms

Synonyms

board

Related Words

coffee table, refectory table, tea table; bar, counter; buffet, sideboard, side table; bed table, card table

Near Antonyms

bane, poison, toxin, venom

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

appoint, credenza, mission, settee

table

verb

Definition of table

tabled; tabling play \-b(ə-)liŋ\

transitive verb

1 a : to remove (something, such as a parliamentary motion) from consideration indefinitely

b British : to place on the agenda

c : to put on a table

2 : to enter in a table

See table defined for English-language learners

Examples of table in a Sentence

The committee tabled the issue until the next meeting.
She plans to table a motion for debate in Parliament.

Recent Examples of table from the Web

The accommodation reached was that the administration put a budget amendment implementing the raises on the council agenda, and the council tabled it until Oct. 24.

— jared boyd, AL.com, "Sheriff's deputies search for man reportedly swinging bat at pedestrians on highway," 24 Oct. 2017
Voting in favor of tabling the issue were Aldermen Elliot Meitzler, Mark Uher, Michael Russotto, Dan Chanzit, Robert Salvati, Michael O'Brien and Martin Callahan.

— linda girardi, Aurora Beacon-News, "Batavia sends Campana building apartment plan back for review," 17 Oct. 2017
Council elected Monday to table the matter until its next meeting, Nov. 6.

— jeff piorkowski/special to cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "University Heights police seeking to hold prisoners in the Solon jail," 17 Oct. 2017
The measure was introduced as a privileged resolution, meaning that House members either had to vote to table it or to proceed within the next two legislative days.

— abigail tracy, The Hive, "A Lone Democrat Just Introduced Articles of Impeachment—and Then Withdrew Them," 11 Oct. 2017
The unacceptably ineffective Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) tabled GCHJ while graciously sparing naysayers the inconvenience of stepping onto the Senate floor and voting to keep Obamacare alive.

— deroy murdock, National Review, "GOP Dysfunction Will Paralyze the Conservative Base in 2018," 27 Sep. 2017
Change of plans Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner, who both serve as presidential advisors, were expected to visit China this month, but the trip has reportedly been tabled as relations cool between Washington and Beijing.

— claire zillman, Fortune, "Turkey’s Working Women, That Time Theresa May Almost Quit, and Pregnant Women Handle a Hurricane," 10 Sep. 2017
But the Village Board tabled a vote Tuesday until Sept. 18 on approving about $22,000 for the purchase because board members want to see what the sign looks like in place.

— chuck fieldman, chicagotribune.com, "Clarendon Hills considers digital sign for Sloan Triangle," 6 Sep. 2017
By Tuesday afternoon, facing a swift reaction from the public and the media, House Republicans had backed away from the amendment, tabling the measure for a later day.

— jamelle bouie, Slate Magazine, "The Ethics Fuss Pitted the GOP’s Shamelessness Against Trump’s," 3 Jan. 2017

First Known Use of table

15th century

table

adjective

Definition of table

1 : suitable for a table or for use at a table

a table lamp

2 : suitable for serving at a table

table grapes

3 : proper for conduct at a table

table manners

Recent Examples of table from the Web

The service in this space is table side and a bit hectic, in keeping with the overall environment of the restaurant.

— lindsey mcclave, The Courier-Journal, "El Mundo's 'controlled chaos' is worth the delicious wait | Review," 30 Aug. 2017
Up to 65% off chandeliers, sconces pendants and table lamps (through September 3).

— megan stein, PEOPLE.com, "19 Weekend Super Sales: Here's Where to Save on Furniture, Decor, Rugs and More Right Now," 25 Aug. 2017
Table-saw makers face a wave of lawsuits Beyond a possible CPSC mandate, the other big danger facing table-saw manufacturers who don't adopt the new technology is product-liability lawsuits.

— timothy b. lee, Ars Technica, "Feds might force table-saw makers to adopt radically safer technology," 10 Aug. 2017
The grant was provided by the proceeds from last fall's Chefs Around the Table Fundraiser.

— Post-Tribune, "Community calendar," 21 July 2017
And even after all that travel, Markle and Prince Harry weren't seated together at the celebration thanks to Pippa's strict table arrangements that separated significant others during the dinner.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "Was Meghan Markle at Pippa Middleton's Wedding?," 22 May 2017
Table seating is $19-$69; lawn seating $25. 817-665-6000; www.fwsymphony.org.

— mark lowry, star-telegram, "More than 50 artsy ways to say ‘Love you, Mom’ in DFW," 10 May 2017
Then comes an intense vanilla ice cream with Alpine strawberries and sauce poured table side.

— michael bauer, San Francisco Chronicle, "Californios, S.F.’s newest 4-star restaurant, exquisitely reimagines Mexican cuisine," 27 Oct. 2017
These lines bisecting the canvas, where the horizon would fall in a traditional landscape painting, are sometimes table tops or mirroring surfaces in which objects placed bottom-to-bottom reflect one other.

— roberta smith, martha schwendener and will heinrich, New York Times, "What to See in New York Art Galleries This Week," 4 Oct. 2017

First Known Use of table

15th century

TABLE Defined for English Language Learners

table

noun

Definition of table for English Language Learners

: a piece of furniture that has a flat top and one or more legs
: a piece of furniture with a flat surface that is designed to be used for a particular purpose
: a group of people who are sitting at a table

table

verb

Definition of table for English Language Learners

: to decide not to discuss (something) until a later time
: to formally present (something) for discussion

TABLE Defined for Kids

table

noun ta·ble \ ˈtā-bəl \

Definition of table for Students

1 : a piece of furniture having a smooth flat top on legs

the kitchen table

a picnic table

2 : food to eat

Grandma sets a good table.

3 : the people around a table

The whole table ordered fish.

4 : short list

a table of contents

5 : an arrangement in rows or columns for reference

multiplication tables

table

verb

Definition of table for Students

tabled; tabling

1 : tabulate

2 : to put on a table

Medical Dictionary

table

noun ta·ble \ ˈtā-bəl \

medical Definition of table

1 : a piece of furniture consisting of a smooth flat slab fixed on legs; especially : one used for examining or operating

2 : either of the two layers of compact bone of the skull which are separated by cancellous diploe

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See words that rhyme with table Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for table Spanish Central: Translation of table Nglish: Translation of table for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of table for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about table

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table

Definition of table

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table

Definition of table

Recent Examples of table from the Web

First Known Use of table

TABLE Defined for English Language Learners

table

Definition of table for English Language Learners

table

Definition of table for English Language Learners

TABLE Defined for Kids

table

Definition of table for Students

table

Definition of table for Students

Medical Dictionary

table

medical Definition of table

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