tray

noun

: an open receptacle with a flat bottom and a low rim for holding, carrying, or exhibiting articles
trayful 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The removable drip tray fits mugs up to seven inches tall and even stores accidental brews to avoid a mess, and helps in easy cleanup. Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 12 June 2025 File photo: close-up of ice cream trays with different flavors. Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025 The waiters stayed busy with orders for martinis and glasses of Champagne as trays of shrimp cocktail hit the tables and the room settled in for dinner. Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 10 June 2025 The black weights came with handles, weight plates and a plastic storage tray. Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for tray

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tray was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Tray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tray. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

tray

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

Medical Definition

tray

noun
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on tray

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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