tablecloth

noun

ta·​ble·​cloth ˈtā-bəl-ˌklȯth How to pronounce tablecloth (audio)
: a covering spread over a dining table before the tableware is set

Examples of tablecloth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Wooden, Norman, and the prospect instead circled a pair of orange crates pushed together for a table in the alley outside the back door and Johnson draped a tablecloth over the wood slats of the boxes. Scott Howard-Cooper., Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Floral Tablecloth Buy on Target $24 A good tablescape needs a classic and refined backdrop, and this tablecloth is it. Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2024 There’s also nail polish and face masks; plates, tablecloths, comforters, and even lamp shades. Kristen Bateman, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2024 The heaping plates overflowed, spilling rice and meat onto the vinyl tablecloth. Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 9 Feb. 2024 White tablecloths and high windows give the main dining room a sense of grandeur and elegance. Malcolm Mayhew, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Jan. 2024 The Julia Amory tablecloth recalls the season with playful florals. Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2024 One morning last fall, a young white couple approached Amanda’s table, which was covered with a purple tablecloth rippling in the wind. Jordan P. Hickey, Longreads, 22 Feb. 2024 Magda Berliner had a collection of one-of-a-kind pieces all made from doilies, tablecloths, and found fabrics—a pioneer of the one-off/upcycle/doily dress concept, as well as other super interesting mixes of fabrics and silhouettes. Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tablecloth.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tablecloth was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near tablecloth

Cite this Entry

“Tablecloth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tablecloth. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tablecloth

noun
ta·​ble·​cloth ˈtā-bəl-ˌklȯth How to pronounce tablecloth (audio)
: a covering spread over a dining table before the places are set

More from Merriam-Webster on tablecloth

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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