1
a
: a long seat for two or more persons
b
: a thwart in a boat
c(1)
: a seat on which the members of an athletic team await a turn or opportunity to play
(2)
: the reserve players on a team
broadly
: a reserve force
2
a
: the seat where a judge sits in court
b
: the place where justice is administered : court
c
: the office or dignity of a judge
sat on the bench for 20 years
d
: the persons who sit as judges
3
a
: the office or dignity of an official
b
: a seat for an official
c
: the officials occupying a bench
4
a
: a long worktable
b
: a table forming part of a machine
5
6
: a compartmented platform on which dogs or cats are kept at a show when not being judged
benched; benching; benches
1
: to furnish with benches
2
a
: to seat on a bench
b(1)
: to remove from or keep out of a game
broadly
: to remove from use or from a position
(2)
: to remove from the starting lineup
3
: to exhibit (dogs or cats) to the public on a bench
4
: to lift (a weight) in a bench press
bench 200 pounds
: to form a bench by natural processes
Synonyms
Examples of bench in a Sentence
Noun
The lawyer asked if he could approach the bench.
her recent appointment to the bench
Verb
The manager benched one of his most popular players.
Recent Examples on the Web
Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
On Wednesday, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled that the state and its officials cannot take arbitrary action against suspects or convicts without following the due process of law.
—Reuters, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Winners and losers: The Colts hoped benching Anthony Richardson and turning to Joe Flacco would provide immediate returns, but the move has already backfired.
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bench 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Lower-Third Ridge Benches Similarly, lower-third benches are important, too.
—Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
On Wednesday, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled that the state and its officials cannot take arbitrary action against suspects or convicts without following the due process of law.
—Reuters, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
New York Giants backup quarterback Tommy DeVito was promoted to starter this week after the franchise decided to bench Daniel Jones after a string of poor performances during a 2-8 start to the season.
—Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Winners and losers: The Colts hoped benching Anthony Richardson and turning to Joe Flacco would provide immediate returns, but the move has already backfired.
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bench
Articles Related to bench
Dictionary Entries Near bench
Cite this Entry
“Bench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bench. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bench
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a long seat for two or more persons
b
: a seat where the members of a team wait for a chance to play
2
a
: the seat where a judge sits in a court of law
b
: the position or rank of a judge
appointed to the bench
c
: a person or persons engaged in judging
3
a
: a long table for holding tools and work
b
bench
2 of 2 verb1
: to furnish with benches
2
: to seat on a bench
3
: to remove from or keep out of a game
Legal Definition
bench
noun1
: the place where a judge sits in court
asked counsel to approach the bench
compare bar sense 1a, dock, jury box, sidebar, stand
2
: the court or system of courts serving an area
the federal bench
3
a
: the office of a judge
appointed to the bench
b
: the body of persons who hold positions as judges
members of the bench and bar
compare bar sense 2a
c
: a judge or panel of judges hearing a case
unless the lawyer is responding to a question from the bench—R. H. Bork
R. H. BorkBiographical Definition
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