the bench

noun

1
law : the place where a judge sits in a court of law
The lawyer asked if he could approach the bench.
2
: a long seat where the members of a sports team wait during a game for a chance to play
He spent most of his season on the bench.
He plays better coming off the bench.

Examples of the bench in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But their two-best players were defensive liabilities, so much that Thibodeau had to go stretches on end with one of Towns or Brunson on the bench for defensive purposes in the conference finals against the Pacers. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 July 2025 The Heat then used guard Erik Stevenson, guard Javonte Cooke, Warren and Goldin off the bench. Miami Herald, 5 July 2025 In his more than three decades on the bench, Niehaus balanced a sharp judicial mind with a wit and plain-spoken manner that won him countless friends and many elections. Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 The Hendersonville Board of Parks and Recreation recently approved the bench's placement near the memorial site community members had created for Piper along the greenway, the release said. Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for the bench

Cite this Entry

“The bench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20bench. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.

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