table

/ˈteɪbəl/

/ˈteɪbəl/

Other forms: tables; tabled; tabling

The flat surface people sit around when they eat together is a table. A table can also be a chart full of information. When doing your taxes, you might use a tax table to determine how much you owe.

Table is a very common noun, but it can also be used as a verb. In American English, the verb table means to set a matter aside indefinitely. For example, if state senators can't come to a compromise about new zoning laws, they might simply decide to table the issue. Confusingly, British English uses the verb table in precisely the opposite way: If members of the English Parliament table a piece of legislation, they formally submit it for discussion or debate.

Definitions of table

1. noun

   a piece of furniture having a smooth flat top that is usually supported by one or more vertical legs
   “it was a sturdy table”

   examples:

   King Arthur's Round Table

   (legend) the circular table for King Arthur and his knights

   types:

   Lord's table, altar, communion table

   the table in Christian churches where communion is given

   booth

   a table (in a restaurant or bar) surrounded by two high-backed benches

   breakfast table

   a table where breakfast is eaten

   card table

   a small light table with folding legs; can be folded for storage

   card table

   a table for playing cards (as in a casino)

   cocktail table, coffee table

   low table where magazines can be placed and coffee or cocktails are served

   conference table, council board, council table

   the table that conferees sit around as they hold a meeting

   console, console table

   a small table fixed to a wall or designed to stand against a wall

   counter

   table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted

   desk

   a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

   dresser, dressing table, toilet table, vanity

   low table with mirror or mirrors where one sits while dressing or applying makeup

   drop-leaf table

   a table that has a drop-leaf to enlarge its surface

   gaming table

   a table used for gambling; may be equipped with a gameboard and slots for chips

   gueridon

   a small round table

   kitchen table

   a table in the kitchen

   operating table

   table on which the patient lies during a surgical operation

   Parsons table

   a sturdy rectangular table with block legs at the four corners; the top and the legs are the same width

   pedestal table

   a table supported by a single central column

   pier table

   a low table set below a pier glass

   platen

   work table of a machine tool

   billiard table, pool table, snooker table

   game equipment consisting of a heavy table on which pool is played

   stand

   a small table for holding articles of various kinds

   ping-pong table, pingpong table, table-tennis table

   a table used for playing table tennis

   tea table

   a small table for serving afternoon tea

   trestle table

   a table supported on trestles

   work table, worktable

   a table designed for a particular task

   bar

   a counter where you can obtain food or drink

   checkout, checkout counter

   a counter in a supermarket where you pay for your purchases

   davenport

   a small decorative writing desk

   drafting table, drawing table

   a worktable with adjustable top

   gateleg table

   a drop-leaf table with the drop-leaves supported by hinged legs

   lectern, reading desk

   desk or stand with a slanted top used to hold a text at the proper height for a lecturer

   meat counter

   counter where meats are displayed for sale

   notions counter

   counter where notions are sold

   reception desk

   a counter (as in a hotel) where guests are received

   escritoire, secretaire, secretary, writing table

   a desk used for writing

   tilt-top table, tip table, tip-top table

   a pedestal table whose top is hinged so that it can be tilted to a vertical position

   bench, work bench, workbench

   a strong worktable for a carpenter or mechanic

   writing desk

   a desk for writing (usually with a sloping top)

   type of:

   article of furniture, furniture, piece of furniture

   furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
2. noun

   a piece of furniture with tableware for a meal laid out on it
   “I reserved a table at my favorite restaurant”

   types:

   board, dining table

   a table at which meals are served

   dining-room table

   dining-room furniture consisting of a table on which meals can be served

   dinner table

   the dining table where dinner is served and eaten

   high table

   a dining table in a dining-hall raised on a platform; seats are reserved for distinguished persons

   refectory table

   a long narrow dining table supported by a stretcher between two trestles

   triclinium

   a dining table with couches along three sides in ancient Rome

   type of:

   article of furniture, furniture, piece of furniture

   furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
3. noun

   a company of people assembled at a table for a meal or game
   “he entertained the whole table with his witty remarks”

   type of:

   assemblage, gathering

   a group of persons together in one place
4. noun

   food or meals in general
   “she sets a fine table”

   synonyms: board

   types:

   training table

   planned meals for athletes in training (usually served in a mess hall)

   type of:

   fare

   the food and drink that are regularly served or consumed
5. noun

   a set of data arranged in rows and columns
   “see table 1”

   synonyms: tabular array

   types:

   correlation table

   a two-way tabulation of the relations between correlates; row headings are the scores on one variable and column headings are the scores on the second variables and a cell shows how many times the score on that row was associated with the score in that column

   contents, table of contents

   a list of divisions (chapters or articles) and the pages on which they start

   actuarial table, statistical table

   a table of statistical data

   calendar

   a tabular array of the days (usually for one year)

   file allocation table

   the part of a floppy disk or hard disk where information is stored about the location of each piece of information on the disk (and about the location of unusable areas of the disk)

   periodic table

   (chemistry) a tabular arrangement of the chemical elements according to atomic number as based on the periodic law

   mortality table

   an actuarial table indicating life expectancy and probability of death as a function or age and sex and occupation etc

   perpetual calendar

   a chart or mechanical device that indicates the days of the week corresponding to any given date over a long period of years

   type of:

   array

   an orderly arrangement
6. verb

   arrange or enter in tabular form
   synonyms: tabularise, tabularize, tabulate

   type of:

   arrange, set

   adapt for performance in a different way
7. verb

   hold back to a later time
   synonyms: defer, hold over, postpone, prorogue, put off, put over, remit, set back, shelve

   types:

   call

   stop or postpone because of adverse conditions, such as bad weather

   hold

   stop dealing with

   suspend

   render temporarily ineffective

   probate

   put a convicted person on probation by suspending his sentence

   reprieve, respite

   postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution

   type of:

   delay

   act later than planned, scheduled, or required
8. noun

   flat tableland with steep edges
   synonyms: mesa

   type of:

   plateau, tableland

   a relatively flat raised area of land