tablecloth

noun

ta·​ble·​cloth ˈtā-bəl-ˌklȯth How to pronounce tablecloth (audio)
: a covering spread over a dining table before the tableware is set

Examples of tablecloth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The entertaining aisle offers pretty paper napkins, wooden platters and bowls, melamine trays, and tablecloths. — Brennan Long, Southern Living, 26 Mar. 2025 Established by native Mississippians Fred and Callie Allen in 1929, the company supplied uniforms, tablecloths and napkins to businesses across the city and housed a commercial laundry. — Kendra D. Boyd, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025 Use Natural Fibers No synthetics were available in the Middle Ages, so look to natural fabrics like linen for tablecloths and napkins, wool blankets, and silk or cotton drapes. — Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2025 Where the attendants serve dinner from an actual menu on white tablecloths, with real utensils, cloth napkins and glassware. — Mark Gauert, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tablecloth

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tablecloth was in the 15th century

Rhymes for tablecloth

See All Rhymes for tablecloth

Browse Nearby Words

table clock
tablecloth
table-cut
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tablecloth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tablecloth. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

tablecloth

noun
ta·​ble·​cloth ˈtā-bəl-ˌklȯth How to pronounce tablecloth (audio)
: a covering spread over a dining table before the places are set

More from Merriam-Webster on tablecloth

Nglish: Translation of tablecloth for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All