WordGarden.iobench
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈɛntʃ/
US
- /ˈbɛntʃ/
Meanings
Noun
a long seat for one or more people
the substitute players on a team, or the area where they sit during a game
the judge or judges in a court, or the position of being a judge
Verb
to remove a player from the game or keep them out of the lineup
Beyond the definition
A bench can be the wooden seat in a park where you rest your weary legs after a long walk. But it's more than just something to sit on! A "bench" also refers to the judge or judges in a courtroom—the people seated while hearing cases. Think of a baseball team's "bench"—that is where the players who aren't currently playing sit and wait for their turn.
You might sit on one in the park, a judge might be on the bench hearing a case, and a player might be warming the bench while waiting to play. It's a surprisingly versatile word with roots in Old English meaning "a raised seat or platform."
The word "bench" has several distinct meanings, all stemming from the idea of a long, flat surface. Most commonly, a bench is a long seat, often made of wood or metal, designed for multiple people to sit on; you can find them in parks, gardens, and public spaces. For example: "She sat on the park bench, enjoying the sunshine."
However, "bench" also has a significant legal meaning. In law, the "bench" refers to the judge or judges presiding over a court case. This can be a single judge (as in "the judge on the bench") or the entire panel of judges hearing an appeal ("before the full bench"). The phrase "to be brought before the bench" means to appear in front of the judge for legal proceedings or sentencing.
Interestingly, "bench" also describes the group of substitute players on a sports team—those waiting their turn to play. This usage comes from the fact that these players often sit on a long bench during the game. "The coach called up a fresh player from the bench to replace the tired starter."
Finally, "bench" can refer to a workbench—a sturdy, heavy table used for manual work like carpentry or repairs.
So, whether you're relaxing in the park, observing a court case, cheering on your favorite team, or building something with your hands, the word "bench" represents a place of rest, authority, anticipation, and creation.
Examples
- 1
Outdoor seating
We sat on a bench by the lake and watched the boats go past.
- 2
Public seating
There were no free benches in the station, so we had to stand.
- 3
Sports lineup
He spent most of the season on the bench.
- Phraseon the bench
not in the starting team; waiting to play
- 4
Substitute player
She came off the bench and scored the winning goal.
- Phrasecome off the bench
enter the game as a substitute
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Coaching decision
The coach benched him for missing training.
- Patternbench someone
decide that they will not play
- 6
Team depth
The team has a strong bench this year, so they can replace tired players easily.
- Phrasea strong bench
strong substitute players
- 7
Courtroom
The judge called both lawyers up to the bench for a quiet discussion.
- Domainthe bench
the judge’s seat or the judge in court
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- benchnounverb
Forms
- benchespluralnounverb