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
There was speculation that the scene was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic painting The Last Supper, depicting Jesus’s last meal with the 12 apostles, which in turn sparked claims that the tableau was an insult to the Christian faith.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025
Starting in the Hall of Mirrors, you’ll be surrounded by 30 tableaux and 357 mirrors adorning its 17 arches before moving onto the King’s Apartment—once the residence of Louis XIV, hosting several parties a week here.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Try remaining a sourpuss while assembling a Spielberg-worthy tableau for Brody, Hooper, Quint, and, of course, Bruce the shark.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
The film premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on Saturday night, and director Dylan Southern revealed the album's role in influencing a striking tableau in the film during a post-screening Q&A.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tableau
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Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025
Starting in the Hall of Mirrors, you’ll be surrounded by 30 tableaux and 357 mirrors adorning its 17 arches before moving onto the King’s Apartment—once the residence of Louis XIV, hosting several parties a week here.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Try remaining a sourpuss while assembling a Spielberg-worthy tableau for Brody, Hooper, Quint, and, of course, Bruce the shark.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
The film premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on Saturday night, and director Dylan Southern revealed the album's role in influencing a striking tableau in the film during a post-screening Q&A.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tableau
Cite this Entry
“Tableau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tableau. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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