plural tables
often attributive
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
4
a
b
: one of the two leaves of a backgammon board or either half of a leaf
5
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)
(2)
: a horizontal stratum
see also:
tabled; tabling
ˈtā-b(ə-)liŋ 
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
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
Examples of table in a Sentence
Noun
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.
Verb
The committee tabled the issue until the next meeting.
She plans to table a motion for debate in Parliament.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tom Williams, New York Times, 17 May 2026
When Riley returned to the table, La La told me that his high profile in the city sometimes bugged her, because fans were always interrupting them, even sitting down at their table.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
In April, following some board discussion, a vote on an official measure recommending a concept plan and budget estimate for the square was tabled until May.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
There were high spots amid this lower mid-table existence, such as when Wrexham were proudly second in the table in October 1979, 10 games into that season.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for table
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Gregory Lorenzi has spent the past 10 years at Brest, where his eye for a bargain helped to catapult the humble Breton club from mid-table mediocrity in Ligue 2 to a third-place finish in Ligue 1 and a fairytale Champions League campaign.
—Tom Williams, New York Times, 17 May 2026
When Riley returned to the table, La La told me that his high profile in the city sometimes bugged her, because fans were always interrupting them, even sitting down at their table.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
Verb
In the end, the commissioners voted to table the decision, citing liability concerns.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
In April, following some board discussion, a vote on an official measure recommending a concept plan and budget estimate for the square was tabled until May.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Adjective
Having failed to qualify six times in a row, Latvia has enjoyed mid-table respectability in the last two finals.
—Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
There were high spots amid this lower mid-table existence, such as when Wrexham were proudly second in the table in October 1979, 10 games into that season.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for table
Cite this Entry
“Table.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/table. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
table
1 of 2 noun
ta·ble
ˈtā-bəl
1
2
a
: a piece of furniture with a smooth flat top fixed on legs
b
: food served at a meal
c
: a group of people assembled at a table
3
a
: an orderly arrangement of facts or figures in rows or columns for quick reference
a table of weights
the multiplication table
b
: a short list
the table of contents
4
Medical Definition
table
noun
ta·ble
ˈtā-bəl
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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