English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun Common

tables

TAYBLZ

Tables (noun) means Backgammon, or any similar board game played with counters moved around a two-row board of marked points. Example: “The two sailors passed the evening playing tables below deck.”

noun
1
Backgammon, or any similar board game played with counters moved around a two-row board of marked points.
"The two sailors passed the evening playing tables below deck."

How to use tables

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old name for backgammon and similar dice-and-counter board games.

Common mistake

This older gaming sense is separate from "tables" as the plural of everyday "table" (furniture) or "times tables."

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “tables” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The two sailors passed the evening playing _____ below deck.

Etymology

Plural of "table," referring to the flat board and its two halves used in the game.

Related words

Rhymes for tables

See all rhymes for tables →

Frequently asked questions

What does “tables” mean?

The word “tables” means backgammon, or any similar board game played with counters moved around a two-row board of marked points. In plain terms, an old name for backgammon and similar dice-and-counter board games.

How do you pronounce “tables”?

“Tables” is pronounced TAYBLZ (/ˈteɪbl̩z/ in IPA).

How do you use “tables” in a sentence?

Here is “tables” used in a sentence: “The two sailors passed the evening playing tables below deck.”

What part of speech is “tables”?

“Tables” is a noun.

Is “tables” a common word?

“Tables” is a fairly common word in modern English.

What game is meant by "tables"?

"Tables" is an older collective name for backgammon and similar board games played with counters moved around a two-row board of marked points. The term names a whole family of games rather than one specific version.

What is the difference between "tables" and "backgammon"?

"Backgammon" is the specific modern game, while "tables" is a broader, older term covering backgammon and any similar game played with counters on a two-row board of marked points. In this sense "tables" refers to the family of games as a whole.

What is the difference between "tables" and "draughts"?

Both are traditional board games, but "tables" refers to backgammon-type games played with counters moved around a two-row board of marked points, usually with dice. "Draughts," also called checkers, is played on a chequered board where pieces move diagonally and capture by jumping. The two are unrelated games.

Featured in

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial