1
a
: a table, frame, or case with a sloping or horizontal surface especially for writing and reading and often with drawers, compartments, and pigeonholes
b
: a reading table or lectern from which a liturgical service is read
c
: a table, counter, stand, or booth at which a person works
2
a
: a division of an organization specializing in a particular phase of activity
the Russian desk in the Department of State
b
: a seating position according to rank in an orchestra
a first-desk violinist
Examples of desk in a Sentence
an information desk at an airport
We will ask for directions to the restaurant at the front desk.
We went to the reception desk to check into our room.
Recent Examples on the Web
However, senior research strategist Michael Brown of foreign currency brokerage Pepperstone sketched out his theory after Miran’s weird triple mandate comment roiled bond trading desks across the globe.
—
Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
Created in 2006 by the British artist Jason deCaires Taylor, the haunting life-size figures, including a man typing at a desk (entitled The Lost Correspondent), fishermen, market traders, and a ring of children holding hands, can be viewed by snorkelers and divers ducking beneath the bay’s surface.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 19 Sep. 2025
For bigger projects, head to the commercial sales desk to inquire about computer design assistance.
—Liz Ohanesian, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Many breakthroughs happen not at the desk, but during a walk or while on vacation.
—Jacob Kupietzky, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desk
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Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
Created in 2006 by the British artist Jason deCaires Taylor, the haunting life-size figures, including a man typing at a desk (entitled The Lost Correspondent), fishermen, market traders, and a ring of children holding hands, can be viewed by snorkelers and divers ducking beneath the bay’s surface.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 19 Sep. 2025
For bigger projects, head to the commercial sales desk to inquire about computer design assistance.
—Liz Ohanesian, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Many breakthroughs happen not at the desk, but during a walk or while on vacation.
—Jacob Kupietzky, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for desk
Cite this Entry
“Desk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desk. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
desk
noun1
a
: a table, frame, or case with a flat or sloping surface especially for writing and reading
b
: a counter at which a person works
2
a
: a specialized division of an organization (as a newspaper)
city desk
b
: a seating position according to rank in an orchestra
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