table

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A piece of furniture with a flat top supported by legs, used for eating, working, or putting things on.

   Grammar: Countable: a table, two tables.

   Patterns

   • sit at a table
   • put something on a table

   We sat around the kitchen table.

   She put the books on the table.

2. 2nouncountable

   A chart or list that organizes information in rows and columns.

   Grammar: Countable: a table of contents.

   Patterns

   • a table of contents
   • in the table

   The data is presented in a table.

   Check the table on page 10 for the results.

3. 3verbtransitiveAmerican

   To postpone discussion of a proposal or issue until a later time (mainly US).

   Grammar: Takes an object: table a motion. In British English, it means to propose for discussion.

   Patterns

   • table a motion
   • table a proposal

   The committee tabled the motion until next month.

   They decided to table the discussion for now.

4. 4verbtransitiveBritish

   To present a proposal for discussion (mainly British).

   Grammar: Takes an object: table a question. In American English, it means to postpone.

   Patterns

   • table a question
   • table a bill

   The MP tabled a question in Parliament.

   The bill was tabled for debate.

Word forms

Common combinations

set the table

Please set the table for dinner.

clear the table

We cleared the table after the meal.

table of contents

The table of contents lists all chapters.

Synonyms and how they differ

chart

Often used for graphs or diagrams, not just rows and columns.

schedule

A timetable, not a piece of furniture.

Word family

tablecloth noun

A cloth used to cover a table.

tablespoon noun

A large spoon for serving or measuring.

Commonly confused: table or tabel?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “table”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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