tray

noun

ˈtrā 

: an open receptacle with a flat bottom and a low rim for holding, carrying, or exhibiting articles

trayful

ˈtrā-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Examples of tray in a Sentence

She carried the tray of food to our table.

a car with several storage trays

Recent Examples on the Web

There are two settings for the convection fan (regular and turbo for air-frying), and a removable air-frying basket and drip tray are included in the box. —Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 18 Feb. 2025

And never let your pots or trays sit in excess water. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2025

The bar on the corner of Pope Street and Frankfort Avenue also now offers high tea in the afternoon complete with tiered trays of finger sandwiches, sweets, and savory items. —Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 15 Feb. 2025

Attendees sipped more champagne, margaritas, and negronis and descended on trays of caviar blinis, dressed crab, lobster rolls, and mini meringues that circuited Langan’s three stories. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English trīg, trēg; akin to Old Swedish trø wooden grain measure and probably to Old English trēow tree — more at tree entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tray

• baking tray
• in tray
• litter tray
• out tray
• tea tray

Rhymes for tray

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• fray

Kids Definition

tray

noun

ˈtrā 

: an open container with flat bottom and low rim for holding, carrying, or exhibiting articles

trayful

-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Medical Definition

tray

noun

ˈtrā 

: an appliance consisting of a flanged body and a handle for use in holding plastic material against the gums or teeth in making negative impressions for dentures