bench
/bentʃ/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈɛntʃ] /bentʃ/ (ame, ipa) · [bˈɛntʃ] /ˈbench/ (ame, mw)
bench — verb
- benchpresent simple I / you / we / they
- benches3rd person singular
- benching-ing form
- benchedpast simple
1. to push a weight upward from your chest while lying on a narrow exercise table,
to push a weight upward from your chest while lying on a narrow exercise table, using both arms to lift it
Andrei benches 90 kilograms at the gym every Tuesday morning with a spotter nearby.
bench + [weight] for measurement of strength
After three months of training, Yumi could bench her own body weight for five reps.
bench + [possessive] + own + body weight
Ramón benched 75 kilograms without stopping, which impressed everyone in the gym.
Felix prefers to bench with a spotter nearby so he can push harder without worry.
Tanvi benched 50 kilograms for ten repetitions during her morning workout session.
- bench press
the noun form describing the exercise itself, not used as a verb in informal gym talk
文法句型
bench + [weight]
bench + [weight] + for + [number] + repetitions
用法筆記
The weight lifted is usually expressed in kilograms or pounds immediately after the verb. This sense belongs to gym and weightlifting vocabulary and is less common in everyday conversation outside fitness contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to stop a player from playing in a sports match, usually as punishment for break
to stop a player from playing in a sports match, usually as punishment for breaking a rule, because of injury, or due to poor performance
The manager benched Salma for the second half after she missed two easy catches.
active: manager benched Salma — punishment for poor play
Because of an ankle injury, Chidi was benched for the whole season.
passive: was benched — injury as reason
The coach benched Ryan for arriving late to practice three times in one week.
Trang got benched during the final match after the referee gave her a yellow card.
The Tanaka family watched from the stands as their son was benched for arguing.
- play
to allow someone to take part in a game
文法句型
bench + [player]
be/get benched
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice (get benched, was benched). The subject making the decision is usually a coach, manager, or team official. In American sports commentary, 'bench' is also used as a noun in phrases like 'benched for the game'.
常見錯誤
bench — noun
- benchsingular
- benchesplural
1. A narrow piece of furniture, shaped like a long plank and commonly built from wo
A narrow piece of furniture, shaped like a long plank and commonly built from wood or metal, that several people can sit on side by side, typically found in parks, gardens, changing rooms, or other public places.
Rachel sat on a wooden bench in the park and watched the children play.
sit on a bench + location (park)
The old couple paused to rest on a bench near the fountain.
rest on a bench — typical use for resting
Joaquín left his bag on the bench by the garden gate.
Several benches line the path through the city square.
Aylin and Felix found an empty bench and sat down to eat their lunch.
文法句型
on a/the bench
2. A sturdy, flat table used for practical manual work such as carpentry, metalwork
A sturdy, flat table used for practical manual work such as carpentry, metalwork, electrical repairs, or other hands-on tasks, usually found in a workshop, garage, or laboratory.
Lakshmi clamped the piece of wood to her workbench before cutting it.
workbench — compound noun for carpentry use
The carpenter cleared his bench and began measuring the new shelf.
Piotr spent the afternoon at his bench, fixing the old radio.
Dust covered every tool on the workbench after the project ended.
Stephanie wiped the bench clean before starting the next repair.
- workbench
Interchangeable with 'bench' in this sense, slightly more specific
- workstation
Broader — can be a desk for computer work, not just manual work
文法句型
at a/the bench
workbench
用法筆記
Often combined with a noun describing the trade: 'workbench,' 'carpenter's bench,' 'lab bench.'
3. A padded, narrow table used in weight training, designed for a person to lie on
A padded, narrow table used in weight training, designed for a person to lie on while pushing a barbell upward or doing other exercises.
Jin lay on the bench and pushed the barbell upward from his chest.
lie on the bench + barbell — weight-training collocation
A row of weight benches stood in front of the mirrors at the gym.
weight bench — compound noun for gym equipment
Rachid adjusted the bench so it was flat before doing his exercises.
The trainer showed Xiu how to keep her feet on the bench while lifting.
Felix added more weight to the bar and lay back down on the bench.
- weight bench
More specific — emphasizes the purpose for weight training
文法句型
on a/the bench
bench + noun (bench press)
用法筆記
The verb 'bench' (to bench-press) and the compound 'bench press' both derive from this sense.
4. The seating area at a sports field or court where players who are not currently
The seating area at a sports field or court where players who are not currently in the game sit during the match; also used to refer to the group of reserve players kept as replacements for active team members.
Coach Ilan called two players from the bench to join the game.
call [someone] from the bench — coach's action
Xiu watched the match from the bench because her ankle still hurt.
watch from the bench — player's perspective
The team's bench was deep with talented young substitutes this year.
Lakan cheered loudly from the bench as his teammate scored the winning goal.
Stephanie spent most of the season on the bench, hoping for a chance to play.
- substitutes' bench
More explicit about the role of the players seated there
- sidelines
Refers to the area outside the playing field, not the seating itself
文法句型
on the bench
from the bench
come off the bench
用法筆記
'On the bench' means a player is not currently playing. A reserve player who rarely gets into games is informally called a 'benchwarmer.'
常見錯誤
5. The official seat of a judge in a courtroom; also used to refer to the magistrat
The official seat of a judge in a courtroom; also used to refer to the magistrate presiding over a legal proceeding, the court as an institution, or the legal system of a particular area.
The lawyer addressed the bench with a calm and respectful tone.
address the bench — formal courtroom expression
Judge Aylin had served on the bench for over fifteen years.
serve on the bench — duration of judicial service
The defense attorney bowed slightly toward the bench before beginning her argument.
A decision from the bench is expected later this afternoon.
Judge Felix was raised to the bench in 2010 after a long career as a lawyer.
- bar
The legal profession (lawyers) as opposed to the judges (the bench)
文法句型
the bench
address the bench
from the bench
常見錯誤
6. The work of acting as a judge by presiding over court cases, hearing evidence, a
The work of acting as a judge by presiding over court cases, hearing evidence, and making legal rulings; the period of time a person spends carrying out this judicial activity.
After twenty years on the bench, Judge Joaquín retired from the high court.
years on the bench — duration of judicial career
Judge Elena Vasquez's appointment to the bench was praised by legal experts across the country.
appointment to the bench — formal promotion
Piotr spent the last decade of his career on the bench in the family court.
Rachel was the youngest person ever appointed to the bench in that state.
- judgeship
A formal term for the position, less common in everyday speech
文法句型
the bench
serve on the bench
appointment to the bench
用法筆記
Distinguish from the COURT sense (noun/5): that sense emphasises the physical seat, institution, or collective body of judges; this sense focuses on the day-to-day work and career experience of judging cases. Distinguish from JUDICIAL OFFICE (noun/7): this sense describes the work of presiding over court cases, while noun/7 refers to the rank or title attained through appointment.
7. The formal position, rank, or title of being a judge in a court of law, focusing
The formal position, rank, or title of being a judge in a court of law, focusing on the office itself rather than the judicial work performed in it.
After twenty years as a lawyer, Naoko was finally appointed to the bench.
passive: be appointed to the bench
Many judges serve on the federal bench for decades before retiring.
Aarav's reputation as a fair jurist earned him a place on the bench.
The governor appointed Quinn to the bench last spring.
文法句型
the bench
be appointed to / be raised to the bench
用法筆記
Often used with a definite article — 'the bench.' This sense describes the abstract office or title (e.g., being appointed to the bench), not the work of presiding over cases (noun/6).
常見錯誤
8. the moment when a judge enters a courtroom to begin official proceedings.
the moment when a judge enters a courtroom to begin official proceedings.
The judge took the bench promptly at nine o'clock.
collocation: took the bench
Everyone in the courtroom stood when the judge took the bench.
Femi watched nervously as the magistrate took the bench for the hearing.
The trial was delayed because the judge could not take the bench until noon.
- open court
can be used as a noun phrase for the same concept, but less specific to the judge's action
- call the court to order
a procedural alternative that focuses on formal announcement rather than sitting down
- adjourn
opposite direction — ending a court session rather than beginning it
文法句型
take the bench
用法筆記
Always used with the verb 'take' as object — 'take the bench.' Not used with other verbs such as 'sit on' or 'approach.'
常見錯誤
9. the seats where members of the UK Parliament sit; by extension, the group of pol
the seats where members of the UK Parliament sit; by extension, the group of politicians who sit in a particular part of the chamber.
The government benches of the House of Commons were nearly full.
collocation: government benches
The opposition benches erupted in loud applause after the speech.
Lucía watched MPs argue from the public gallery above the benches.
Backbench members rarely speak during major debates in Parliament.
- seat
a more general term; 'bench' in this sense implies the political grouping of the member
- frontbench
specifically the front row seats reserved for party leaders and ministers
文法句型
the [position] benches
backbench / frontbench as modifier
用法筆記
Usually appears in a compound: 'government benches,' 'opposition benches,' 'backbench,' 'frontbench.' Capitalised in formal UK parliamentary writing.
常見錯誤
10. a narrow, flat area of land that breaks the slope of a hill or mountain, often f
a narrow, flat area of land that breaks the slope of a hill or mountain, often formed by erosion or human excavation.
An ancient river bench ran along the side of the valley.
collocation: river bench
Farmers built small walls to hold soil on a rocky bench.
The hikers stopped to rest on a narrow bench of flat ground.
Mining crews cut a bench into the hillside to reach the coal seam.
A wide bench of grassland separated the vineyard from the river below.
文法句型
bench of [land/river/rock]
a river bench
用法筆記
A technical term used in geography, archaeology, and mining. Less common in everyday conversation.