bench
bench
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "bench" is /bɛntʃ/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
bench: /bɛntʃ/
/b/ - voiced bilabial stop
/ɛ/ - open-mid front unrounded vowel
/n/ - alveolar nasal
/tʃ/ - voiceless post-alveolar affricate
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: bench
Plural Noun: benches
Third-person singular simple present verb: benches
Present participle: benching
Simple past and past participle: benched
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A long seat, typically made of wood or metal, often found outdoors in parks, public spaces, or alongside sports fields, designed to accommodate multiple people.
Synonyms: seat, settee, pew, settle
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a physical object, but concepts like "standing area" could be loosely considered.)
Definition 2: In a court of law, the raised platform where a judge or magistrates sit; by extension, the judiciary or the judicial system itself.
Synonyms: judiciary, court, magistracy, bar (informal, when referring to lawyers)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; concepts like "jury box" or "defendant's stand" refer to other parts of the court.)
Definition 3: A sturdy workbench, often found in workshops or laboratories, used for various tasks, particularly those requiring stability and a durable surface.
Synonyms: workbench, worktop, counter, table
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms.)
Definition 4: In sports, a designated area where substitute players and coaching staff sit during a game.
Synonyms: dugout (baseball), sidelines, reserves' area
Antonyms: playing field, pitch, court
Verb
Definition 1: To remove a player from a game or competition, typically to the substitutes' area, often due to poor performance, injury, or strategic reasons.
Synonyms: sideline, substitute (when used actively to replace someone), remove, rest
Antonyms: play, start, field, include
Definition 2: To furnish a place with benches.
Synonyms: seat, furnish, equip
Antonyms: unseat, remove furniture from
Definition 3: To examine or test something on a workbench or in a controlled environment, often to assess its performance or suitability.
Synonyms: test, evaluate, analyze, appraise
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as this is a specific type of action.)
Examples of Use
Books
"He found a quiet bench in the park, sat down, and watched the children play." (From a work of fiction, illustrating the noun definition of a seat)
"The judge, from the bench, delivered a stern warning to the unruly spectators." (From a legal textbook or non-fiction work, illustrating the noun definition referring to the judiciary)
Newspapers
"Local authorities plan to install more park benches along the waterfront by next spring." ( The Daily Gazette)
"The star forward was surprisingly benched for the second half of yesterday's crucial match." (Sports Today)
Online Publications
"How to build a sturdy outdoor bench for your garden." ( DIY Enthusiast)
"Tech giant's new smartphone failed to meet expectations in a recent bench test." (Gizmo Review)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Film: In a scene from "Forrest Gump," Forrest narrates his life story while sitting on a bench at a bus stop. ( Forrest Gump, 1994)
Television: "The coach decided to bench the rookie quarterback after three interceptions." (From a sports drama series, depicting the verb use)
Music: A lyric in a song might describe "meeting on a park bench under the old oak tree." (Heard in various popular songs)
Video Games: In sports simulation games, players often have the option to "send a player to the bench" to manage their team's roster.
General Public Discourse
"Let's grab a bench over there and watch the sunset." (Casual conversation among friends)
"The new hire really needs some time on the bench to learn the ropes before taking on major projects." (Workplace discussion, referring to a period of training or less active involvement)
"The defense attorney approached the bench for a private word with the judge." (Heard in discussions about legal proceedings)
10 Quotes Using Bench
"A mind too active is an irritant. It is a workhorse, a plow-horse, an ass, and it needs a bench." (George S. Patton)
"The judge, from the bench, commands the court, and every citizen is bound to obey him." (Marcus Tullius Cicero)
"I was benched last game, and it gives you a lot of time to think." (Michael Jordan)
"You don't win until you get off the bench and start playing." (Unknown - often attributed to motivational speakers)
"A man's got to know his limitations. But if you're on the bench, you don't know your limitations." (Clint Eastwood, as Dirty Harry)
"If you want to be a champion, you can't sit on the bench." (Unknown - popular sports mantra)
"I learned a lot sitting on the bench." (Magic Johnson)
"When you are on the bench, you have to be ready." (LeBron James)
"Don't warm the bench; get in the game." (Unknown - motivational quote)
"The bench is a lonely place, but it makes you hungry." (Tom Brady)
Etymology
The word "bench" has a long history, going back to the very early days of the English language.
Its journey starts even before English, with a super old language called Proto-Germanic. This was the ancestor of languages like English, German, and Dutch. In Proto-Germanic, the word was *bankiz, which meant something like a "raised surface," "bulge," "hillock," or "slope." It also had the meaning of a "bench" or "shelf." You can imagine how a natural rise in the ground could have been used as a simple seat.
From Proto-Germanic, the word evolved into Old English, where it appeared as benc. Its first known meaning in Old English was a "long seat," especially one without a back, often made of wood or stone. So, right from its earliest known use, it was about a place to sit for more than one person.
Over time, as the English language developed, "bench" kept its core meaning of a seat, but also gained new senses. For example, by the late 1300s, it started being used for the raised seat where judges sit in court, and from that, it came to mean the judges themselves, or the judicial system. Later, in the early 1900s, the sports meaning of the "bench" as where substitute players sit came into use.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Bench
On the bench:
Meaning 1: To be a substitute player in a sports game. (e.g., "The coach kept him on the bench for the entire first half.")
Meaning 2: To be temporarily out of active participation; to be sidelined or inactive. (e.g., "That project has been on the bench for months.")
Warm the bench: To sit as a substitute, often implying little or no playing time. (e.g., "He was frustrated just warming the bench every game.")
Bench strength: The depth of talent or resources available in reserve, particularly in sports or an organization. (e.g., "Our team has great bench strength this season.")
Bench trial: A trial by a judge without a jury. (e.g., "They opted for a bench trial to speed up the process.")
Bench warrant: A warrant issued by a judge (from the bench) for the arrest of a person who has failed to appear in court. (e.g., "A bench warrant was issued for his arrest after he missed his court date.")
Hit the bench: To be removed from a game or position, often due to poor performance. (e.g., "After his third error, the shortstop hit the bench.")
Off the bench: To come into play or activity, especially after being a substitute. (e.g., "She came off the bench and scored the winning goal.")
The bench (in court): Referring to the judiciary or the judges themselves. (e.g., "The attorney approached the bench to confer with the judge.")
To bench something: To set aside or temporarily stop work on something. (e.g., "We had to bench that idea until we get more funding.")
To bench press: A weightlifting exercise performed lying on a bench, pushing a weight upwards. (e.g., "He can bench press over 200 pounds.")
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of bench from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
