Bench: meaning, definitions and examples

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bench

[bɛn(t)ʃ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

furniture

A long seat for several people, typically made of wood or metal.

Synonyms

pew, seat, settee.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
bench	In courtrooms or judicial settings, referring to the judge's seat or the judge themselves. The lawyer approached the bench to discuss the matter privately with the judge The bench gave a ruling on the case
seat	General term for any place to sit, whether a chair, bench, or other types of seating furniture. Please take a seat while you wait There was a reserved seat for the guest of honor
pew	Long bench, typically made of wood, found in churches or places of worship and meant for seating multiple people during services. They found a seat on the third pew from the front The old church had beautifully carved wooden pews
settee	A type of upholstered seat, similar to a small sofa, often found in living rooms or lounges. It typically seats two or three people. They sat together on the settee, sipping coffee and chatting The antique settee added charm to the cozy room

Examples of usage

She sat on the bench in the park and enjoyed the sunshine.
The players on the bench cheered for their teammates on the field.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

sports

The seats for the coaches and reserve players of a sports team.

Synonyms

reserve, sideline.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
bench	Seating area for players and coaches during a sports game, where non-playing players wait. The coach called the player to the bench after he scored the goal. He spent most of the match on the bench.
reserve	Backup players in a team who are not starting the game but may be called to play if needed. The team has a strong reserve ready to step in if any player is injured. She is one of the best reserves we have.
sideline	Area along the perimeter of the playing field, often where players and coaches are during the game. It may have a connotation of being inactive or not directly involved. He was shouting instructions to his teammates from the sideline. She spent the whole season on the sideline due to her injury.

Word

Description / Examples

bench

Seating area for players and coaches during a sports game, where non-playing players wait.

The coach called the player to the bench after he scored the goal.
He spent most of the match on the bench.

reserve

Backup players in a team who are not starting the game but may be called to play if needed.

The team has a strong reserve ready to step in if any player is injured.
She is one of the best reserves we have.

sideline

Area along the perimeter of the playing field, often where players and coaches are during the game. It may have a connotation of being inactive or not directly involved.

He was shouting instructions to his teammates from the sideline.
She spent the whole season on the sideline due to her injury.

Examples of usage

The coach called a timeout and talked to the players on the bench.
He was on the bench for the entire game.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

legal

To remove someone from a game or activity.

Synonyms

ban, suspend.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
bench	Used in the context of sports when a player is removed from the playing field and put on the sidelines, typically due to poor performance or for rest. It is also used to refer to seating in parks, public gardens, or other outdoor areas. The coach decided to bench the star player after his numerous mistakes. We sat on a bench by the lake to enjoy the view.
suspend	Used when someone is temporarily removed from a position, job, or school, pending further investigation or as a penalty. This can also apply to temporarily halting an operation or process. The committee decided to suspend the player for three games due to unsportsmanlike conduct. The school decided to suspend classes until the weather improved.
ban	Used when someone is officially prohibited from participating in an activity, entering a place, or using something. It often carries a negative connotation. He received a lifetime ban from professional sports due to doping. The government has decided to ban smoking in all public buildings.

Word

Description / Examples

bench

Used in the context of sports when a player is removed from the playing field and put on the sidelines, typically due to poor performance or for rest. It is also used to refer to seating in parks, public gardens, or other outdoor areas.

The coach decided to bench the star player after his numerous mistakes.
We sat on a bench by the lake to enjoy the view.

suspend

Used when someone is temporarily removed from a position, job, or school, pending further investigation or as a penalty. This can also apply to temporarily halting an operation or process.

The committee decided to suspend the player for three games due to unsportsmanlike conduct.
The school decided to suspend classes until the weather improved.

ban

Used when someone is officially prohibited from participating in an activity, entering a place, or using something. It often carries a negative connotation.

He received a lifetime ban from professional sports due to doping.
The government has decided to ban smoking in all public buildings.

Examples of usage

The referee decided to bench the player for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The coach benched the star player for not following team rules.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old French 'benche' meaning a long seat.
Its roots can be traced back to the Latin word 'banca,' which means a bench or table.
Originally, benches were simple wooden structures used in public gatherings and marketplaces.

Cultural Significance

In many parks around the world, benches serve as social hubs where people gather to converse and relax.
Benches are often inscribed with names or messages, turning them into memorials for loved ones.
In some cultures, benches symbolize community, where discussions and friendly encounters happen freely.

Architecture

Architects design benches to enhance public spaces, allowing for both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Modern benches can be made from various materials, including recycled plastics, metals, or concrete, promoting sustainability.
They come in diverse designs, from minimalist styles to elaborate art pieces in city centers.

Sports

In sports, a 'bench' refers to non-playing team members who support their teammates during games.
The strategy of substituting players is known as 'rotating the bench,' aiming to keep the team fresh.
Some players may face the bench if they're not performing well, leading to the phrase 'riding the pine' in American sports slang.

Psychology

Sitting on a bench can promote mindfulness, encouraging people to pause and reflect in a busy world.
Bench spaces in parks are often associated with relaxation and stress relief, enhancing mental well-being.
Social interactions that occur on benches can lead to feelings of community and belongingness.

Translations

Translations of the word "bench" in other languages:

🇵🇹 banco

🇮🇳 बेंच

🇩🇪 Bank

🇮🇩 bangku

🇺🇦 лава

🇵🇱 ławka

🇯🇵 ベンチ

🇫🇷 banc

🇪🇸 banco

🇹🇷 bank

🇰🇷 벤치

🇸🇦 مقعد

🇨🇿 lavice

🇸🇰 lavica

🇨🇳 长凳

🇸🇮 klop

🇮🇸 bekkur

🇰🇿 орындық

🇬🇪 სკამი

🇦🇿 skamya

🇲🇽 banco

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,092 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
5089 designation
5090 pulling
5091 fixing
5092 bench
5093 coupling
5094 devised
5095 jointly
...