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

Blow it up, put it on the tray table, then lean forward, placing your head and neck in the top section and arms in the center. —Catherine Garcia, theweek, 19 Nov. 2024

This process involved factory workers carrying heavy buckets filled with the candy mixture, who then walked backwards along a conveyor belt full of trays. —Aaron Mahnke, People.com, 27 Oct. 2024

For your roomate who's a consummate dinner party host For the person who’s always hosting, consider one of the beautiful serving trays below. —Mackenzie Chung Fegan, Bon Appétit, 24 Oct. 2024

Another food product, black plastic sushi trays, had the highest level of flame retardants in the study. —Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 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