tableau

noun

tab·​leau ˈta-ˌblō  ta-ˈblō 

plural tableaux ˈta-ˌblōz 

ta-ˈblōz

also tableaus

1

: a graphic description or representation : picture

winsome tableaux of old-fashioned literary days

—J. D. Hart

2

: a striking or artistic grouping : arrangement, scene

3

[short for tableau vivant (from French, literally, living picture)] : a depiction of a scene usually presented on a stage by silent and motionless costumed participants

Examples of tableau in a Sentence

The houses are grouped together in a charming tableau.

Recent Examples on the Web

Behold the aqua tableau All beaches are public in Barbados, offering plenty of options for turquoise-water swims (provided there’s no invasion of sargassum, a seaweed that can clog shorelines in spring or summer). —Patrick Scott, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025

The simple beauty of this tableau leads Emily the ghost to break down sobbing. —Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025

In the eastern sky before sunrise, a stunning tableau of three celestial objects will appear: Jupiter rising below a delicate, 7%-lit waning crescent moon, with Venus above. —Jamie Carter, Space.com, 28 Dec. 2024

No cozy Christmas tableau is complete without a steaming mug of tea. —Carly Monardo, Bon Appétit, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French tablel, diminutive of table, from Old French

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tableau

• tableau curtain

Rhymes for tableau

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

tableau

noun

tab·​leau ˈtab-ˌlō  ta-ˈblō 

plural tableaux -ˌlōz 

-blōz

also tableaus

: a scene or event shown by a group of persons in costume who remain silent and motionless