Sekirov Dictionary

bench

/ˈbɛnt͡ʃ/

noun 19
verb 6
forms 3
phrases 1

noun19

•
a seat made for several people to sit next to each other, often in a park
- They sat on a park bench and tossed bread crumbs to the ducks and pigeons.
•
The place where players (substitutes) and coaches sit when not playing.
- He spent the first three games on the bench, watching.
•
(figurative) The number of players on a team able to participate, often expressed in terms of length.
- Injuries have shortened the bench.
•
A place where assembly or hand work is performed; a workbench.
- She placed the workpiece on the bench, inspected it closely, and opened the cover.
(Australia, New-Zealand) A kitchen surface on which to prepare food, a counter.
(Australia, New-Zealand) A bathroom surface which holds the washbasin, a vanity.
•
(figurative) The people who decide on the verdict, collectively; the judiciary.
- They are awaiting a decision on the motion from the bench.
The seat where the judges sit in court.
A seat where people sit together in an official capacity.
•
A long seat for politicians in a parliamentary chamber.
- On the opposition benches at Holyrood, Scottish Labour's transport spokesman Neil Bibby favours a more formal approach of involving passenger and worker representatives in the management of ScotRail. — 2022
•
(figurative) The office or dignity of a judge.
- She sat on the bench for 30 years before she retired.
•
(figurative) The dignity of holding an official seat.
- the bench of bishops
•
A horizontal padded surface, usually adjustable in height and inclination and often with attached weight rack, used for proper posture during exercise.
- I had no bench or power rack, so by necessity every exercise I did started with the weights on the floor. — 2008
•
The weight one is able to bench press, especially the maximum weight capable of being pressed.
- He became frustrated when his bench increased by only 10 pounds despite a month of training.
•
A flat ledge in the slope of an earthwork, work of masonry, or similar.
- That number carried his glance to the top of this first bulging bench of cliff-base. — 1912
A thin strip of relatively flat land bounded by steeper slopes above and below.
•
(figurative) The people who hold a certain type of official seat, collectively; a group of officeholders.
- Mr. Zuckerberg’s repositioning of Meta started in earnest last year, when he began rearranging his bench of lieutenants. — 2022
A collection or group of dogs exhibited to the public, traditionally on benches or raised platforms.
•
A bracket used to mount land surveying equipment onto a stone or a wall.
- After removing the bench, we can use the mark left on the wall as a reference point.

verb6

•
To remove a player from play.
- They benched him for the rest of the game because they thought he was injured.
(figurative) To remove someone from a position of responsibility temporarily.
•
(informal) To lift by bench pressing
- I heard he can bench 150 pounds.
•
To furnish with benches.
- 'Twas benched with turf. — 1700
•
To place on a bench or seat of honour.
- whom I […] have benched and reared to worship — 1610
(slang) To push a person backward against a conspirator behind them who is on their hands and knees, causing them to fall over.

forms

benched · benching · benches

Phrases with bench

bench jockey
A player, coach or manager who verbally annoys and distracts opposition players and umpires from his team's dugout bench.

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