desk

noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Globally, two-thirds of desk workers haven’t tried AI, often citing unclear permissions. Curt Steinhorst, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025 In high-use areas around the desk, bed, and couch, the power strip and extension cords can be permanent fixtures in the space, so why not make it as aesthetically pleasing as possible? Kelsey Borovinsky, Architectural Digest, 14 July 2025 Republicans in both chambers have until Friday to send the legislation to Trump’s desk for his signature, a deadline that could be difficult for the party to meet, in part because the Senate is planning to hold a vote-a-rama this week. Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 14 July 2025 In another shot, the actor is in a suit and tie with a paper airplane in his hand resting his sleek black boots on a wooden desk. Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for desk

Word History

Etymology

Middle English deske, dext "reading desk, lectern," borrowed from Medieval Latin descus, desca, variant of discus "raised table, platform," going back to Latin, "discus, kind of plate, gong," borrowed from Greek dískos "discus," in Late Greek also "dish, round mirror, the sun's disk, gong" — more at discus

Note: The e in the British Medieval Latin forms (and subsequent borrowing into Middle English) appears to show influence of the Romance outcome of discus, for which see the note at dish entry 1. The sense "reading desk," presumably originating in monastic usage, is not limited to Britain—compare discus in Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch, which records the meaning in central Europe.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of desk was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Desk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desk. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

desk

noun
1
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

More from Merriam-Webster on desk

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