1. A piece of furniture typically having a flat or sloping top for writing and often drawers or compartments.
2. A table, counter, or booth at which specified services or functions are performed: an information desk; a reception desk.
3. A department of a large organization in charge of a specified operation: a newspaper's city desk.
4. A lectern.
5. A music stand in an orchestra.

[Middle English deske, from Medieval Latin desca, table, from Old Italian desco, from Latin discus, quoit. See disk.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.