bench
n. · v.-
1 long seat (n.) A2 Elementarya long seat for two or more people, usually made of wood or stone and found in public places.
a long seat for multiple people, typically without an individual backrest for each person, common in parks or gardens.
ExampleWe sat on a wooden bench in the park to watch the ducks.
ExampleThe wrought-iron bench was bolted to the pavement to prevent theft, providing a sturdy resting place for weary commuters.
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2 work surface (n.) B1 Intermediatea strong table used for working with tools or doing manual jobs.
a heavy, sturdy table used by a mechanic, carpenter, or scientist for manual or experimental work.
ExampleHe kept all his hammers and screwdrivers neatly organized on his work bench.
ExampleThe laboratory technician carefully arranged the glass vials on the sterile bench before beginning the titration process.
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3 law and judges (n.) C1 Advanced Formal Lawthe place where a judge sits in a courtroom, or the judges as a group.
the seat occupied by a judge in a court of law; by extension, the judiciary or the office of a judge.
ExampleThe lawyer approached the bench to speak quietly with the judge.
ExampleThe decision was met with widespread approval from both the bench and the bar, signaling a shift in judicial interpretation.
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4 sports substitutes (n.) B1 Intermediate Sportthe area where players sit when they are not currently playing in the game.
the area where substitute players and coaching staff remain during a match; often used to refer to the depth of available talent.
ExampleThe coach looked at the players on the bench, trying to decide who to send in next.
ExampleThe team's lack of success this season is largely attributed to a weak bench, leaving the starters with no adequate relief during long matches.
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5 weightlifting (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Sporta padded board you lie on to lift heavy weights.
a horizontal padded surface used for support during resistance training, specifically the bench press.
ExampleHe lay back on the bench and prepared to lift the heavy barbell.
ExampleAdjusting the incline of the bench allows the athlete to target different sections of the pectoral muscles during their workout.
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6 geology (n.) C2 Proficiency Technical Sciencea flat, narrow strip of land that looks like a step on a hill or underwater.
a long, narrow, relatively level terrace or ledge breaking the continuity of a slope.
ExampleThe hikers followed a narrow bench of rock halfway up the cliff side.
ExampleThe geological survey identified a wave-cut bench that provided clear evidence of higher sea levels during the previous interglacial period.
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7 to remove from play (v.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Sportto take a player out of a game or not allow them to start.
to withdraw a player from active participation in a game; transitively, to relegate someone to a non-active role.
ExampleThe star player was benched for the first half because he missed practice.
ExampleAfter a series of costly turnovers, the quarterback was benched in favor of a more experienced veteran who could manage the clock better.
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8 to lift weights (v.) C1 Advanced Informal Sportto lift a certain amount of weight while lying on a bench.
to perform a bench press; often used transitively to specify the maximum weight an individual can lift.
ExampleHe can bench over 100 kilograms now after months of training.
ExampleThe athlete managed to bench two hundred pounds, setting a new personal record during the regional powerlifting competition.
From Middle English bench, benk, bynk, from Old English benċ (“bench”), from Proto-West Germanic banki, from Proto-Germanic bankiz (“bench”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeg-. Cognate with Scots benk, bink (“bench”), West Frisian bank (“bench”), Dutch bank (“bench”), German Bank (“bench”), Danish bænk (“bench”), Swedish bänk (“bench”), Icelandic bekkur (“bench”). Doublet of banc, banco, and bank.
From bench press by shortening.
See bentsh.
- Nounbench
- Nounbenchmark