desk

UK: /ˈdɛsk/ US: /dɛsk/ ,(desk)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

desk /dɛsk/   n. [countable]

1. Furniture an article of furniture having a broad writing surface and drawers or compartments for papers, etc.
2. the section of a large organization, such as a newspaper, having responsibility for particular operations:
   worked at the city desk.
3. a table or counter at which a specific job is performed or a service offered:
   Go to the information desk and see if they can help you.

adj. [before a noun]

4. of a size or form suitable for use on a desk:
   a desk lamp.
5. done at or based on a desk:
   He had a boring desk job with no chance for exercise.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

desk  (desk), n. 

1. Furniture an article of furniture having a broad, usually level, writing surface, as well as drawers or compartments for papers, writing materials, etc.
2. a frame for supporting a book from which the service is read in a church.
3. a pulpit.
4. the section of a large organization, as a governmental bureau or newspaper, having authority over and responsibility for particular operations within the organization:
   city desk; foreign desk.
5. a table or counter, as in a library or office, at which a specific job is performed or a service offered:
   an information desk; reception desk.
6. Music and Dance a stand used to support sheet music;
   music stand.
7. Music and Dance (in an orchestra) a seat or position assigned by rank (usually used in combination):
   a first-desk flutist.

adj. 

8. Furniture of or pertaining to a writing desk:
   a desk drawer.
9. of a size or form suitable for use on a desk:
   desk dictionary.
10. done at or based on a desk, as in an office or schoolroom:
    He used to be a traveling salesman, but now he has a desk job.

• a Romance-influenced form of Latin discus discus; compare dais, dish, Medieval Latin discus refectory table
• Medieval Latin desca, descus desk, lectern, probably
• Middle English deske 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

desk / dɛsk/ noun

1. a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
2. a service counter or table in a public building, such as a hotel: information desk
3. a support, lectern, or book rest for the book from which services are read in a church
4. the editorial section of a newspaper, etc, responsible for a particular subject: the news desk
5. a music stand shared by two orchestral players

Etymology: 14th Century: from Medieval Latin desca table, from Latin discus disc, dish