Definition of "bench"

A long seat with or without a back, found for example in parks and schools.  quotations  examples

(law) The seat where the judges sit in court.

1. (law, figuratively) The people who decide on the verdict, collectively; the judiciary.  examples

2. (law, figuratively) The office or dignity of a judge.  examples

A seat where people sit together in an official capacity.

1. (government) A long seat for politicians in a parliamentary chamber.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • 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 April 6, Conrad Landin, “ScotRail in the public eye...”, in RAIL, number 954, page 40

2. (figuratively) The dignity of holding an official seat.  examples

3. (figuratively) The people who hold a certain type of official seat, collectively; a group of officeholders.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • Mr. Zuckerberg’s repositioning of Meta started in earnest last year, when he began rearranging his bench of lieutenants.

     2022 July 26, Mike Isaac, “‘Operating With Increased Intensity’: Zuckerberg Leads Meta Into Next Phase”, in The New York Times‎

(sports) The place where players (substitutes) and coaches sit when not playing.  quotations

1. (sports, figuratively) The number of players on a team able to participate, expressed in terms of length.  examples

A place where assembly or hand work is performed; a workbench.  examples

A horizontal padded surface, usually adjustable in height and inclination and often with attached weight rack, used for proper posture during exercise.  quotations  examples

(surveying) A bracket used to mount land surveying equipment onto a stone or a wall.  examples

A flat ledge in the slope of an earthwork, work of masonry, or similar.  quotations  examples

(geology) A thin strip of relatively flat land bounded by steeper slopes above and below.

(Australia, New Zealand) A kitchen surface on which to prepare food, a counter.  examples

(Australia, New Zealand) A bathroom surface which holds the washbasin, a vanity.  examples

A collection or group of dogs exhibited to the public, traditionally on benches or raised platforms.  examples

(transitive, sports) To remove a player from play.  quotations  examples

(transitive, figuratively) To remove someone from a position of responsibility temporarily.  examples

(slang) To push a person backward against a conspirator behind them who is on their hands and knees, causing them to fall over.

(transitive) To furnish with benches.  quotations  examples

(transitive) To place on a bench or seat of honour.  quotations  examples

(transitive and intransitive, colloquial) To lift by bench pressing  quotations  examples

(weightlifting) The weight one is able to bench press, especially the maximum weight capable of being pressed.  examples

Alternative spelling of bentsh  examples