the bench
noun
1
law
: the place where a judge sits in a court of law
The lawyer asked if he could approach the bench.
2
: a long seat where the members of a sports team wait during a game for a chance to play
He spent most of his season on the bench.
He plays better coming off the bench.
Examples of the bench in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Maria Kliundikova had 12 points off the bench, Alanna Smith had 11 points, and Courtney Williams contributed eight points and five assists.
—
Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025
Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen did not rule from the bench in the latest chapter of the poaching penalty lawsuit.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
Walsh is seeking both a public censure and the judge’s removal from the bench.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2025
There are 135 judges on the bench of San Diego Superior Court.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the bench
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.
Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025
Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen did not rule from the bench in the latest chapter of the poaching penalty lawsuit.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
Walsh is seeking both a public censure and the judge’s removal from the bench.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2025
There are 135 judges on the bench of San Diego Superior Court.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the bench
Cite this Entry
“The bench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20bench. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share