# bench

/ˈbɛntʃ/ (US) · /bˈɛntʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bench
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. long seat

noun · CEFR A2

a long seat for two or more people, usually made of wood or stone and found in public places.

For teachers: a long seat for multiple people, typically without an individual backrest for each person, common in parks or gardens.

- We sat on a wooden bench in the park to watch the ducks.
- The wrought-iron bench was bolted to the pavement to prevent theft, providing a sturdy resting place for weary commuters.

### 2. work surface

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. law and judges

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. sports substitutes

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. weightlifting

noun · CEFR B2

a padded board you lie on to lift heavy weights.

For teachers: 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.

### 6. geology

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

### 7. to remove from play

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

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

For teachers: 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.

### 8. to lift weights

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- We sat on a park bench to eat our lunch.
- The players who were not currently in the game sat on the bench and cheered for their teammates.
- The judge requested that both attorneys approach the bench to discuss the admissibility of the new evidence before the jury returned to the courtroom.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.