tray

UK: /ˈtreɪ/ US: /treɪ/ ,(trā)

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

tray¹ /treɪ/   n. 

[countable]
1. a flat, shallow container, used for carrying or displaying articles:
   He carried his lunch tray to the table.
2. a tray and its contents:
   a breakfast tray.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

tray¹ (trā),  n. 

1. a flat, shallow container or receptacle made of wood, metal, etc., usually with slightly raised edges, used for carrying, holding, or displaying articles of food, glass, china, etc.
2. a removable receptacle of this shape in a cabinet, box, trunk, or the like, sometimes forming a drawer.
3. a tray and its contents:
   to order a breakfast tray from room service.

• bef. 1050; Middle English; Old English trēg, trīg; cognate with Old Swedish trö corn measure; akin to tree

tray² (trā), n. Australian Slang.

1. a coin worth threepence. Also called tray′ bit′.

• Latin trēs three); compare trey
• Italian tre (
• compare earlier argot trey, tray three, a set of three, probably ultimately 1895–1900

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

tray / treɪ/ noun

1. a thin flat board or plate of metal, plastic, etc, usually with a raised edge, on which things can be carried
2. a shallow receptacle for papers, etc, sometimes forming a drawer in a cabinet or box

Etymology: Old English trieg; related to Old Swedish trö corn measure, Old Norse treyja carrier, Greek driti tub, German Trog trough