tableau

UK: /ˈtæbləʊ/ US: /tæˈbloʊ, ˈtæbloʊ/ ,(ta blō′, tab′lō)

Inflections of 'tableau' (n):

tableaux

npl

tableaus

npl

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

tab•leau /tæˈbloʊ, ˈtæbloʊ/   n. [countable] , pl. tab•leaux /tæˈbloʊz, ˈtæbloʊz/  tab•leaus. 

1. a representation of a scene, etc., by people in costume.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

tab•leau  (ta blō′, tab′lō), n., pl. tab•leaux (ta blōz′, tab′lōz), tab•leaus. 

1. a picture, as of a scene.
2. a picturesque grouping of persons or objects;
   a striking scene.
3. a representation of a picture, statue, scene, etc., by one or more persons suitably costumed and posed.
4. Games [Solitaire.] the portion of a layout to which one may add cards according to suit or denomination.

• French: board, picture, Middle French tablel, diminutive of table table
• 1690–1700

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

tableau / ˈtæbləʊ/ noun ( -leaux / -ləʊ -ləʊz/, -leaus)

1. same as tableau vivant
2. a pause during or at the end of a scene on stage when all the performers briefly freeze in position
3. any dramatic group or scene

Etymology: 17th Century: from French, from Old French tablel a picture, diminutive of table