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

Foil trays brimmed with the brothers’ favorite food: chicken wings. —Javon Huynh, CNN Money, 23 May 2025

An additional five droppings were found inside the cutlery storage container as well as on a storage tray. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025

The Italian touch was evident throughout the store, as trays of quiche, arancini balls and cocktails circulated around the room to guests decked in Tod’s looks. —Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 21 May 2025

To add to the English-club shtick, that chili dog, caviar or club sandwich is served on a silver serving tray with a glass cloche. —Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 May 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