Definition of 'desk'

COBUILD frequency band

desk

(desk

)

Word forms: plural desks

1. countable noun A1

A desk is a table, often with drawers, which you sit at to write or work.

2. singular noun [oft noun NOUN] B2

The place in a hotel, hospital, airport, or other building where you check in or obtain information is referred to as a particular desk.

I spoke to the girl on the reception desk.

A map and a bird-watchers' field checklist are available at the front desk.

...the main information desk.

3. singular noun [oft noun NOUN]

A particular department of a broadcasting company, or of a newspaper or magazine company, can be referred to as a particular desk.

Let our news desk know as quickly as possible on 414 3926.

Over now to Simon Ingram at the sports desk.

More Synonyms of desk

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desk

British English pronunciation

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American English pronunciation

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desk in British English

(dɛsk

)

noun

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

a service counter or table in a public building, such as a hotel

information desk

a support, lectern, or book rest for the book from which services are read in a church

the editorial section of a newspaper, etc, responsible for a particular subject

the news desk

a music stand shared by two orchestral players

these two players

6. (modifier)

made for use at a desk

a desk calendar

done at a desk

a desk job

Word origin

C14: from Medieval Latin desca table, from Latin discus disc, dish

COBUILD frequency band

desk in American English

(dɛsk )

nounOrigin: ME deske < ML desca, a table, ult. < L discus: see discus

a piece of furniture equipped with drawers, compartments, etc., and a flat or sloping top for writing, drawing, or reading

a lectern

the post of a clerk, official, etc. in a department or office

the place in a hotel where guests are registered, mail is picked up, etc.

a division of a newspaper or other office, carrying out some specialized function

the city desk; the trading desk

a musician's stand in an orchestra

adjective

of, for, or on a desk

done at a desk

a desk job

COBUILD frequency band

desk in American English

(desk)

noun

an article of furniture having a broad, usually level, writing surface, as well as drawers or compartments for papers, writing materials, etc

a frame for supporting a book from which the service is read in a church

a pulpit

the section of a large organization, as a governmental bureau or newspaper, having authority over and responsibility for particular operations within the organization

city desk

foreign desk

a table or counter, as in a library or office, at which a specific job is performed or a service offered

an information desk

reception desk

a stand used to support sheet music; music stand

7. (in an orchestrausually used in combination)

a seat or position assigned by rank

a first-desk flutist

adjective

of or pertaining to a writing desk

a desk drawer

of a size or form suitable for use on a desk

desk dictionary

10.

done at or based on a desk, as in an office or schoolroom

He used to be a traveling salesman, but now he has a desk job

Word origin

[1350–1400; ME deske ‹ ML desca, descus desk, lectern, prob. ‹ a Romance-influenced form of L discus discus; cf. dais, dish, ML discus refectory table]

Examples of 'desk' in a sentence
desk

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This risk was particularly acute on desks where funds were traded in the same assets.Or just make sure you always leave your desk for lunch.It is a pretty cool desk.You can put your valuables in a safe or a desk drawer.There was a gold piggy bank on his desk. Sitting at your desk and eating a salad or sarnie won't recharge your batteries.He now writes from a desk at one end of a narrow room, walled on one side by windows looking east over the city.At the front desk, I sign in.But the biggest wait was for the airport information desks.The file on his desk contains information about a young woman doctor.