table
TAYB
Table (noun) means a piece of furniture with a flat top, supported by legs. Example: “We ate dinner at the kitchen table.”
noun
1
A piece of furniture with a flat top, supported by legs.
"We ate dinner at the kitchen table."
"He cleared the table after dinner."
"Someone had left a pile of unopened letters on the table by the door."
2
Information arranged in rows and columns.
"The report includes a table comparing prices by region."
"Check the table on page 12 for exact prices."
"Add the figures to a table so readers can compare the results quickly."
verb
1
(British English) To put forward for discussion.
"The committee tabled a new proposal for discussion."
"MPs tabled an amendment to the bill."
"The councillor tabled a motion about parking outside the school at Tuesday's meeting."
How to use table
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA flat piece of furniture to put things on — or, for data, rows and columns of information.
UK vs US
This is a real trap: in British English, "to table a motion" means to bring it up for discussion NOW. In American English it means the opposite — to postpone or shelve it.
Common pairings
set the table
a table of contents
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Word forms
- Plural
- tables
- Third person singular
- tables
- Past tense
- tabled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We ate dinner at the kitchen _____.
Etymology
From Latin tabula, "board" or "plank."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for table
See all rhymes for table →Frequently asked questions
What does “table” mean?
The word “table” means a piece of furniture with a flat top, supported by legs. In plain terms, a flat piece of furniture to put things on — or, for data, rows and columns of information.
How do you pronounce “table”?
“Table” is pronounced TAYB ([ˈtʰeɪb(ə)ɫ] in IPA).
How do you use “table” in a sentence?
Here is “table” used in a sentence: “We ate dinner at the kitchen table.”
What is another word for “table”?
Words with a similar meaning to “table” include grid and vector.
What part of speech is “table”?
Depending on how it is used, “table” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “table” come from?
The word “table” comes from Latin. From Latin tabula, "board" or "plank.".
Is “table” a common word?
“Table” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “table” have?
“Table” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a piece of furniture with a flat top, supported by legs.
What is the difference between a table and a desk?
A desk is a type of table designed specifically for writing, studying, or office work, and it usually has drawers or compartments. A table is the broader term for any flat-topped piece of furniture on legs. Every desk is essentially a table, but tables used for dining or display are not desks.
What are the types of tables?
Tables are usually named by their use or shape, including dining tables, coffee tables, side or end tables, console tables, bedside tables, and folding tables. They vary widely in height and size, from a low coffee table to a tall workbench, but all share a flat top raised on supports.
What is an example of a table?
A dining table is the classic example, a flat rectangular or round top on four legs that people sit around at mealtimes. Other everyday examples include a coffee table in a living room, a bedside table, and a picnic table. Each is a flat surface raised on legs for use.
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