A bench is a long seat of wood or metal that two or more people can sit on.
He sat down on a park bench.
Synonyms: seat, stall, pew More Synonyms of bench
2. countable noun
A bench is a long, narrow table in a factory or laboratory.
...the laboratory bench.
Synonyms: worktable, stand, table, counter More Synonyms of bench
3. plural noun
In parliament, different groups sit on different benches. For example, the government sits on the government benches.
[British]
...the opposition benches.
4. See also backbench, backbencher, backbenches, front bench
5. singular noun [with singular or plural verb]
In a court of law, the bench is the judge or magistrates.
The chairman of the bench adjourned the case until October 27.
6. singular noun [theNOUN]
If someone serves on the bench, they work as a judge or magistrate.
Allgood served on the bench for more than 50 years.
7. singular noun [theNOUN]
If a member of a sports team is on the bench for a particular match, he or she waits at the side of the field until the manager tells them to play.
[journalism]
The coach didn't like my way of playing football. I stayed on the bench for a lotof the games.
bench in British English
(bɛntʃ)
noun
1.
a long seat for more than one person, usually lacking a back or arms
2.
a plain stout worktable
3. the bench
4. sport
the seat on which reserve players and officials sit during a game
5. geology
a flat narrow platform of land, esp one marking a former shoreline
6.
a ledge in a mine or quarry from which work is carried out
7.
(in a gymnasium) a low table, which may be inclined, used for various exercises
8.
a platform on which dogs or other domestic animals are exhibited at shows
9. New Zealand
a hollow on a hillside formed by sheep
verb(transitive)
10.
to provide with benches
11.
to exhibit (a dog, etc) at a show
12. New Zealand
to form (a track) up a hill by excavating a flattened area
13. US and Canadian sport
to take or keep (a player) out of a game, often for disciplinary reasons
14. informal
to lift (a weight) by performing a bench press
Word origin
Old English benc; related to Old Norse bekkr, Old High German bank, Danish, Swedish bänk; see bank3
bench in American English
(bentʃ)
noun
1.
a long seat for several persons
a bench in the park
2.
a seat occupied by an official, esp. a judge
3.
such a seat as a symbol of the office and dignity of an individual judge or the judiciary
4.
the office or dignity of various other officials, or the officials themselves
5. Sport
a.
the seat on which the players of a team sit during a game while not playing
b.
the quality and number of the players of a team who are usually used as substitutes
A weak bench hurt their chances for the championship
6. informal See bench press
7. Also called: workbench
the strong worktable of a carpenter or other mechanic
8.
a platform on which animals are placed for exhibition, esp. at a dog show
9.
a contest or exhibition of dogs; dog show
10. Physical Geography
a shelflike area of rock with steep slopes above and below
11. Mining
a step or working elevation in a mine
12. "> berm (sense 2)
13. See on the bench
transitive verb
14.
to furnish with benches
15.
to seat on a bench or on the bench
an election that benched him in the district court
16.
to place (a show dog or other animal) in exhibition
17.
to cut away the working faces of (a mine or quarry) in benches
18. Sport
to remove from a game or keep from participating in a game
to be benched because of poor hitting
Derived forms
benchless
adjective
Word origin
[bef. 1000; ME, OE benc; c. OFris benk, OS, D, OHG bank, ON bekkr ‹ Gmc *bank-i-; see bank1]
Bench in American English
(bentʃ)
noun
See Johnny
Examples of 'bench' in a sentence
bench
He is queasy about plans to set up a new group on the back benches.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The chairman of the bench gave his verdict.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The reference to text messages provoked hilarity on the opposition benches.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The wooden bench seats on the train were empty.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
He was sitting on a bench, he was jumping up and down while watching a monitor.
The Sun (2017)
I sat down on one of the benches and watched a bit more.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
THIS picture of three women sitting on a bench has gone viral as it appears they are hovering in mid-air.
The Sun (2016)
The midfielder said:'There are a lot of great players on the bench waiting for a chance.
The Sun (2016)
I will be fighting for Britain from the Conservative benches from now.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You can also have the option of two individual rear seats or a bench seat.
The Sun (2010)
We had our three best players on the bench at the end of the game.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This one should be left on the subs bench.
The Sun (2013)
We sit on a bench in the hallway near the staircase.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Where people have benches out the tourists will just wander in and pose for selfies on them.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The clerk rolled his eyes and looked up at the chairman of the bench.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We received insults on the bench throughout the match.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The evidence off the bench cannot be taken for granted.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There was no one on the bench who could play there.
The Sun (2008)
There will be more jitters on the government benches in the coming months.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Go for a stroll and look for a park bench.
The Sun (2012)
You do not put big players on the bench for big games.
The Sun (2013)
There was no one on the bench capable of coming on and lifting the crowd.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Or from the front bench in this case.
The Sun (2012)
He pointed to a wooden bench built around the trunk of a tree.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But the women who had manned the factory benches now frequently had to give up theirjobs to the men.
Grenville, J. A. S. The Collins History of the World in the 20th Century (1994)
There is a strong difference of opinion on the opposition benches about whether a slice of fried clot is good for you.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The first challenge is to produce top-class tomatoes for the show bench.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
England fans filled half of the bottom tier to the right of the managers' benches.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Originally, fur skins were thrown over hard stone benches to provide a more comfy seat.
Churchill, Jane (ed.) Collins Complete Books of Soft Furnishings (1993)
We don't want him sitting on a bench long.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The bench of two judges and six jurors took 11 hours to reach a verdict.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He claimed that he was trying to hit a metal bench in the next-door garden to make a noise that would scare it back indoors.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The media has been full of those opposing the plans particularly, from the Conservative benches.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
bench
British English: bench /bɛntʃ/ NOUN
A bench is a long seat of wood or metal.
He sat down on a park bench.
American English: bench
Arabic: نَضَد
Brazilian Portuguese: banco assento
Chinese: 长椅子
Croatian: klupa
Czech: lavice
Danish: bænk
Dutch: bank zitbank
European Spanish: banco asiento
Finnish: penkki
French: banc
German: Bank Sitzen
Greek: πάγκος
Italian: panchina
Japanese: ベンチ
Korean: 벤치
Norwegian: benk
Polish: ławka
European Portuguese: banco assento
Romanian: bancă
Russian: скамья
Latin American Spanish: banco asiento
Swedish: bänk
Thai: ม้านั่ง
Turkish: bank
Ukrainian: лава
Vietnamese: ghế dài
All related terms of 'bench'
the bench
a judge or magistrate sitting in court in a judicial capacity
back bench
any of the rows of seats occupied by the backbenchers
bench lathe
a lathe mounted on a workbench
bench mark
a surveyor's mark made on a permanent landmark of known position and altitude : it is used as a reference point in determining other altitudes
bench press
a weight-training exercise in which a person lies on a bench and pushes a barbell upwards with both hands from chest level until the arms are straight , then lowers it again
bench seat
a seat for more than one person
bench show
an exhibition of small animals, esp. dogs , or cats , displayed on benches and competing for awards on the basis of how closely they conform to ideal standards for the breed
bench study
the critical evaluation of a new or repaired component, device, apparatus , etc, prior to installation to ensure that it is in perfect condition
bench test
the critical evaluation of a new or repaired component , device, apparatus , etc, prior to installation to ensure that it is in perfect condition
bench vice
a vice mounted on a workbench
bench vise
a vice mounted on a workbench
bench work
work done at a workbench , worktable , etc., as in a factory or laboratory
cross-bench
a seat in Parliament occupied by a neutral or independent member
front bench
In Britain , the front bench or people who sit on the front bench are members of Parliament who are ministers in the Government or who hold official positions in an opposition party .
park bench
a long seat made of wood or metal that two or more people can sit on, placed in a public place or open space in a town
bench jockey
a player on the bench who taunts opposing players, the officials, etc.
bench warrant
a warrant issued by a judge or court directing that an offender be apprehended
King's Bench
the supreme court of common law
optical bench
an apparatus fitted for experimentation in optics , typically consisting of a table and an adjustable arrangement of light source, lenses , prisms , etc
Queen's Bench
(in England when the sovereign is female ) one of the divisions of the High Court of Justice
testing bench
a piece of equipment for testing if a machine or device is working properly
weights bench
a piece of equipment for use by someone who is weight-training
bench scientist
a scientist who does experiments in a laboratory
bench strength
depth of talent , as on a sports team
exercise bench
(in a gymnasium ) a low table, which may be inclined , used for various exercises
mourners' bench
a front row of seats at a revival meeting, for those who are to profess penitence
on the bench
serving as a judge in a court of law; presiding
Treasury Bench
(in Britain) the front bench to the right of the Speaker in the House of Commons , traditionally reserved for members of the Government
benchmark
A benchmark is something whose quality or quantity is known and which can therefore be used as a standard with which other things can be compared .
Queen's Bench Division
(in England when the sovereign is female ) one of the divisions of the High Court of Justice
anxious seat
a bench near the preacher at revival meetings, for those with a troubled conscience who seek salvation
benchwarmer
a player who is usually on the bench ; reserve
Chinese translation of 'bench'
bench
(bɛntʃ)
n(c)
(= seat) 长(長)椅 (chángyǐ) (条(條), tiáo)
(= table) (in factory, laboratory etc) 工作台(臺) (gōngzuòtái) (个(個), gè)
(Brit, Pol) 议(議)员(員)席 (yìyuánxí)
(Law)
the Bench法官席 (fǎguānxí)
to be on the bench (Sport, = substitute) 候补(補) (hòubǔ)
1 (noun)
Definition
a long seat for more than one person
We sat down on a park bench.
Synonyms
seat
Stephen returned to his seat.
stall
pew
2 (noun)
Definition
a long and strong worktable
the laboratory bench
Synonyms
worktable
stand
She bought a hot dog from a stand on a street corner.
table
I placed his drink on the small table.
counter
slab
trestle table
workbench
phrase
See the bench
Additional synonyms
in the sense of stand
Definition
a stall or counter selling goods
She bought a hot dog from a stand on a street corner.
Synonyms
stall,
booth,
kiosk,
table
in the sense of table
Definition
a piece of furniture consisting of a flat top supported by legs