I. ˈbench noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English benc; akin to Old High German bank bench
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a long seat for two or more persons
b. : a thwart in a boat
c.
(1) : a seat on which the members of an athletic team await a turn or opportunity to play
(2) : the reserve players on a team ; broadly : a reserve force
2.
a. : the seat where a judge sits in court
b. : the place where justice is administered : court
c. : the office or dignity of a judge
sat on the bench for 20 years
d. : the persons who sit as judges
3.
a. : the office or dignity of an official
b. : a seat for an official
c. : the officials occupying a bench
4.
a. : a long worktable ; also : laboratory
bench chemist
bench test
b. : a table forming part of a machine
5. : terrace , shelf : as
a. : a former wave-cut shore of a sea or lake or floodplain of a river
b. : a shelf or ridge formed in working an open excavation on more than one level
6. : a compartmented platform on which dogs or cats are kept at a show when not being judged
II. verb
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : to furnish with benches
2.
a. : to seat on a bench
b.
(1) : to remove from or keep out of a game ; broadly : to remove from use or from a position
(2) : to remove from the starting lineup
3. : to exhibit (dogs or cats) to the public on a bench
4. : to lift (a weight) in a bench press
bench 200 pounds
intransitive verb
: to form a bench by natural processes