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

Get The Recipe Pecan Snowball Cookies Always the star of the holiday cookie tray. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2024

The trays were sold at Ralph's stores in California and Smith's stores in Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. —George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024

Last, but not least, were the snack trays with Crunch n' Munch, crackers, cookies and Cheez Whiz. —Angela Andaloro, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024

The trays had been found at sites across the Fertile Crescent in the Middle East, including Mezraa Teleilat, Akarçay Tepe and Tell Sabi Abyad. —Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Dec. 2024

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

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