# desk

/ˈdɛsk/ (US) · /dˈɛsk/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. furniture

noun · CEFR A1

a piece of furniture like a table, often with drawers, used for reading, writing, or using a computer.

For teachers: a piece of furniture with a flat or sloping surface and typically with drawers, at which one can read, write, or do other work.

- I keep my laptop and a lamp on my desk in the bedroom.
- The executive requested a larger mahogany desk to accommodate multiple monitors and a dedicated space for physical paperwork.

### 2. service counter

noun · CEFR A2

a counter in a public building, like a hotel or airport, where you get information or help.

For teachers: a counter or booth in a public building where specific services or information are provided to customers or travelers.

- Please check in at the front desk when you arrive at the hotel.
- Upon entering the terminal, passengers should proceed directly to the information desk to confirm their gate assignment.

### 3. department

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

a specific section or department in a large organization, like a newspaper or a bank.

For teachers: a specialized department or section within a larger organization, particularly in journalism or financial services.

- He works for the city desk at the local newspaper.
- The foreign desk coordinated with several international correspondents to ensure comprehensive coverage of the election results.

### 4. orchestra station

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a shared music stand and seating area for two players in an orchestra.

For teachers: a position in an orchestral string section consisting of a music stand shared by two players.

- She was promoted to the first desk of the violin section.
- The conductor noticed that the third desk of the cello section was slightly out of sync during the adagio movement.

### 5. to reject without review

verb · CEFR C2 · Academic · Formal

to reject a piece of writing immediately without sending it to experts for review.

For teachers: to reject a manuscript or article upon initial receipt without sending it out for formal peer review.

- The editor decided to desk the article because it didn't fit the journal's theme.
- The paper was desk-rejected within forty-eight hours because the methodology failed to meet the publication's rigorous statistical standards.

Usage: Often used in the compound form 'desk-reject'.

## Examples

- I keep my computer and books on my desk.
- She spent the entire afternoon at her desk finishing the report for her manager.
- The modern open-plan office often replaces the traditional assigned desk with flexible workstations to encourage collaboration among different teams.

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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.