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bench

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The definition of a bench is a long, hard seat or work table, or an official's seat.

(noun)

An example of a bench is what people may sit on at a park.
An example of a bench is where the judge sits during a trial.

Bench means to provide with a long, hard seating space or work area, or to sit a player out of a sporting game.

(verb)

An example of bench is to provide a park with new seating.
An example of bench is to sit the usual third baseman out and use a substitute player.

See bench in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a long, hard seat for several persons, with or without a back
a seat between the two sides of a boat
the place where judges sit in a court
1. the status or office of a judge
2. judges collectively
3. a law court
1. an official's seat or his office, status, etc.
2. the officials in this office
☆
1. a seat on which the players on a sports team sit when not participating in the action
2. auxiliary players collectively
a stand upon which dogs, or cats, are exhibited and judged at a show
a strong table on which work with tools is done, often one that is part of a machine; worktable
a terrace along the bank of a body of water, often marking a former shoreline
a shelflike layer of rock formed by erosion, mining, etc.
a low, usually padded platform used in weight lifting

Origin: ME < OE benc: see bank

transitive verb

to provide with benches
to place on a bench, esp. an official one
to exhibit at a dog, or cat, show
☆ Sports to take or keep (a player) out of a game

See bench in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A long seat, often without a back, for two or more persons.
Nautical A thwart in a boat.
Law
a. The seat for judges in a courtroom.
b. The office or position of a judge.
c. often Bench The judge or judges composing a court.
a. A seat occupied by a person in an official capacity.
b. The office of such a person.
A strong worktable, such as one used in carpentry or in a laboratory.
A platform on which animals, especially dogs, are exhibited.
Sports
a. The place where the players on a team sit when not participating in a game.
b. The reserve players on a team.
a. A level, narrow stretch of land interrupting a declivity.
b. A level elevation of land along a shore or coast, especially one marking a former shoreline.

transitive verb benched, bench·ing, bench·es

To furnish with benches.
To seat on a bench.
To show (dogs) in a bench show.
Sports To keep out of or remove from a game: benched the goalie for fighting.
Sports To bench-press.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English benc

American baseball player considered among the greatest catchers in history. In 16 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds (1967-1983), he was the National League's most valuable player twice (1970 and 1972).

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