bench

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a strong table used for working with tools or doing manual jobs.

n. a heavy, sturdy table used by a mechanic, carpenter, or scientist for manual or experimental work.

“He kept all his hammers and screwdrivers neatly organized on his work bench.”

“The laboratory technician carefully arranged the glass vials on the sterile bench before beginning the titration process.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Formal

n. the place where a judge sits in a courtroom, or the judges as a group.

n. the seat occupied by a judge in a court of law; by extension, the judiciary or the office of a judge.

“The lawyer approached the bench to speak quietly with the judge.”

“The decision was met with widespread approval from both the bench and the bar, signaling a shift in judicial interpretation.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Sports

n. the area where players sit when they are not currently playing in the game.

n. the area where substitute players and coaching staff remain during a match; often used to refer to the depth of available talent.

“The coach looked at the players on the bench, trying to decide who to send in next.”

“The team's lack of success this season is largely attributed to a weak bench, leaving the starters with no adequate relief during long matches.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Sports

n. a padded board you lie on to lift heavy weights.

n. a horizontal padded surface used for support during resistance training, specifically the bench press.

“He lay back on the bench and prepared to lift the heavy barbell.”

“Adjusting the incline of the bench allows the athlete to target different sections of the pectoral muscles during their workout.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical

n. a flat, narrow strip of land that looks like a step on a hill or underwater.

n. a long, narrow, relatively level terrace or ledge breaking the continuity of a slope.

“The hikers followed a narrow bench of rock halfway up the cliff side.”

“The geological survey identified a wave-cut bench that provided clear evidence of higher sea levels during the previous interglacial period.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Sports Informal

v. to take a player out of a game or not allow them to start.

v. to withdraw a player from active participation in a game; transitively, to relegate someone to a non-active role.

“The star player was benched for the first half because he missed practice.”

“After a series of costly turnovers, the quarterback was benched in favor of a more experienced veteran who could manage the clock better.”

C1 · Advanced Sports Informal

v. to lift a certain amount of weight while lying on a bench.

v. to perform a bench press; often used transitively to specify the maximum weight an individual can lift.

“He can bench over 100 kilograms now after months of training.”

“The athlete managed to bench two hundred pounds, setting a new personal record during the regional powerlifting competition.”