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Table

/ˈteɪbəl/

nounverbA1

Definition

As a noun, a table is a piece of furniture with a flat top and legs, used to hold items like food, books, or tools. As a verb, especially in meetings, to table something means to pause or set aside a topic so it can be discussed later or not at all.

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⚡ See It in Action

Noun: A piece of furniture with a flat surface and legs

  • •She put the vase on the table.
  • •We ate dinner at the kitchen table.
  • •The table was made of glass.

Verb: To delay or stop talking about something, often in meetings

  • •They decided to table the proposal until next week.
  • •The manager tabled the discussion to focus on other issues.

🧲 Make It Stick

  • ✓Think of "table" like "desk" (A1 word), but usually used for eating or general use, not just work or study
  • ✓Picture a wooden surface with four legs where you can put your plate, books, or laptop
  • ✓It's the feeling of gathering with family around something steady and useful
  • ✓Sounds like "tay-bull" → imagine a bull standing strong and steady like a table holding things up
  • ✓In stories or meetings, "table" as a verb means to put an idea on the table but not pick it up now—like pausing a game
  • ✓NOT like "chair" (you sit on a chair), "table" is what you put things on
  • ✓NOT like "desk" (usually for work), "table" is more general, for eating, playing, or working
  • ✓As a verb, NOT like "start" (begin discussion), "table" means to stop or delay discussion

🔄 Try Other Words

  • •Counter: flat surface in a kitchen or store (Use when referring to kitchen or shop surfaces)
  • •Postpone: to delay something (Use when talking about delaying meetings or decisions instead of "table" as a verb)
  • •Put off: to delay or stop temporarily (Informal phrase for "table" as a verb)

🔍 Unboxing

  • •Word parts: "table" (single root word)
  • •Etymology: From Old French "table," from Latin "tabula," meaning a board or plank
  • •Historical development: Used in English since the 13th century to mean a flat surface or board; later also used as a verb in meetings
  • •Modern usage: Common furniture word and also a formal meeting term for delaying discussion

💭 Reflect & Connect

•How does the meaning of "table" change when you use it as a noun versus a verb in a conversation?
•Can you think of situations where "tabling" a topic might be helpful or harmful?

Fill in the blanks with the correct word:

1.We put the food ___ on the table before sitting down to eat.
2.During the meeting, they decided to table the issue ___ to focus on urgent matters.
3.The table in the living room is bigger than the ___ in the kitchen.
4.When someone tables a proposal, it means they want to ___ talking about it for now.
5.She cleared the table ___ after dinner was finished.
6.A table usually has ___ legs to stand firmly on the floor.
7.If you want to continue the discussion later, you can table it ___ for another day.