plural tableaux
ˈta-ˌblōz 
ta-ˈblōz
also tableaus
1
: a graphic description or representation : picture
winsome tableaux of old-fashioned literary days—
J. D. Hart
J. D. Hart2
: a striking or artistic grouping : arrangement, scene
3
[short for tableau vivant (from French, literally, living picture)]
: a depiction of a scene usually presented on a stage by silent and motionless costumed participants
Examples of tableau in a Sentence
The houses are grouped together in a charming tableau.
Recent Examples on the Web
The number and variety of these tableaus begged an obvious question.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
Counterpoint, though: Big Little Lies is far too much of an ensemble piece — Kidman shares the tableau with Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, and (to some extent) Laura Dern and Zoë Kravitz, who all have their separate problems — to warrant top billing.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2024
The dinner was a performance piece, from the rhythmic movement and sounds of pouring and drinking champagne to the precision dance of the cadre of chefs, moving together like a tableau vivant, only to have the their time sensitive pieces destroyed by a single movement of my fork.
—Erica Firpo, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
As versatile as a blank page, this look stacks up against many other styles—implementing pieces in a neutral palette keeps the focus on form and adds an enduring, craft-forward element to any tableau.
—Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tableau 
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Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
Counterpoint, though: Big Little Lies is far too much of an ensemble piece — Kidman shares the tableau with Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, and (to some extent) Laura Dern and Zoë Kravitz, who all have their separate problems — to warrant top billing.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2024
The dinner was a performance piece, from the rhythmic movement and sounds of pouring and drinking champagne to the precision dance of the cadre of chefs, moving together like a tableau vivant, only to have the their time sensitive pieces destroyed by a single movement of my fork.
—Erica Firpo, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
As versatile as a blank page, this look stacks up against many other styles—implementing pieces in a neutral palette keeps the focus on form and adds an enduring, craft-forward element to any tableau.
—Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tableau
Dictionary Entries Near tableau
Cite this Entry
“Tableau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tableau. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
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