bench
gb/bˈɛnt͡ʃ/ us/bˈɛnt͡ʃ/
A2
English
~ 6700
pad, kispad, kispadra ültet, mellőz, munkapad, laborasztal, bírói kar, bírói szék, bírói tanács, edzőpad, súlyzópad, fekvenyom, terasz, bányapad
NOUN
A2
1
pad
A2
Usage pattern:
sit on a bench
We found an empty bench and ate our lunch there.
Találtunk egy üres padot, és ott ettük meg az ebédünket.
An old man was sleeping on the park bench by the lake.
Egy idős férfi aludt a tó melletti parkpadon.
She sat on a wooden bench outside the café, watching people walk by.
The children lined up on the bench while they waited for the bus.
They placed flower pots under the bench along the garden path.
Learner examples
We sit on the bench and talk.
A padon ülünk és beszélgetünk.
An old bench stands in front of my house.
Egy régi pad áll a házam előtt.
They rest on a bench after the long walk.
I like to read on the park bench near my school.
There is a long bench in the train station.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"sit in the bench"* instead of *"sit on the bench"*. Use *on* with benches, chairs, and other seats.
Meaning
long seat for several people
Collocations
park bench
|wooden bench
|garden bench
|bench seat
|church bench
|bench seating
Synonyms
seat (More general; can be for one or more people, and of any type.)
|
pew (Used mainly for long benches in churches.)
Themes
places
|daily life
|outdoors
|daily_life
|housing
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A long seat for two or more people, often made of wood or metal.
A long, usually hard seat, often without arms, on which several people can sit.
NOUN
B1
2
kispad
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is on the bench
The coach kept her on the bench for the first half.
Az edző az első félidőben a kispadon tartotta.
Two players came off the bench and quickly changed the game.
Két játékos jött be a kispadról, és gyorsan megváltoztatták a mérkőzés menetét.
He was angry about spending another match on the bench.
Our team has a strong bench this year, so we can rotate players.
She moved from the bench into the starting lineup after the injury.
Learner examples
He is on the bench and not playing.
A kispadon ül, és nem játszik.
A new player comes off the bench and scores.
Egy új játékos beáll a kispadról, és gólt szerez.
The coach tells him to stay on the bench today.
We need better players on the bench for this team.
She sits on the bench and waits to play.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse *"on the bench"* (not playing) with *"on the field"* (playing). Remember that players *on the bench* are not in the game.
Meaning
area where substitutes sit
Collocations
on the bench
|come off the bench
|start on the bench
|left on the bench
|a deep bench
|strength off the bench
Synonyms
sidelines (Less specific; refers to the area at the side of the field and people not playing.)
|
substitutes (Refers only to the players, not the physical area.)
Antonyms
starting lineup (Refers to the players who begin the game on the field or court, not on the bench.)
Themes
sports
|leisure
Definition
In sports, the place where players sit when they are not playing in the game; it can also mean those players.
In team sports, the area where players and coaches sit when they are not currently playing, also used to refer to the substitute players as a group.
VERB
B2
3
mellőz
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] benches [someone]
The coach benched him after he missed several easy shots.
Az edző kispadra ültette, miután több könnyű dobást is elhibázott.
She was benched for the final because she arrived late to practice.
A döntőre kispadra ültették, mert késve érkezett az edzésre.
The company benched the project team until the budget was approved.
He was benched for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.
The director benched the actor after repeated unprofessional behavior.
Learner examples
The coach benches the player for one game.
Az edző egy mérkőzésre kispadra ülteti a játékost.
He was benched because he was not fit.
Kispadra ültették, mert nem volt elég fitt.
They benched her after she broke the rules.
Our manager benched the project until next year.
The star was benched and did not play.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"He benched himself"* when they mean he chose not to play. *Bench* is usually used when a coach or manager decides that another person will not take part.
Meaning
remove from play or activity
Collocations
bench a player
|benched for the season
|temporarily benched
|coach benched him
|benched due to injury
Synonyms
sideline (Often slightly more figurative and used beyond sports, for example in work or politics.)
|
drop (In sports, focuses on removing someone from the team or lineup, not just one game.)
Antonyms
field (As a verb in sports, means to put a player into the game.)
|
reinstate (To put someone back into a position or activity after they were removed.)
Themes
sports
|work
|authority
Definition
To tell a person, often a player or worker, that they cannot take part for a time and must sit out.
To remove someone from a game, activity, or position and not allow them to take part, often as a tactical decision or as punishment.
NOUN
B1
4
munkapad
B1
laborasztal
B2
Usage pattern:
work at a bench
He keeps all his tools neatly arranged on the work bench.
Minden szerszámát szépen elrendezve tartja a munkapadján.
The samples were lined up along the laboratory bench.
A mintákat sorban elhelyezték a laborasztalon.
She spent the afternoon at the bench repairing watches.
The carpenter built a new bench for his workshop.
We need more bench space in the lab for the new equipment.
Learner examples
The mechanic works at a long bench.
A szerelő egy hosszú munkapadnál dolgozik.
There are many bottles on the lab bench.
Sok üveg van a laborasztalon.
He puts the metal parts on the work bench.
She stands at the bench and cuts the wood.
We use the bench in the lab to do tests.
Common mistake:
Learners may think a *bench* is always for sitting. In technical or work contexts, a *bench* can be a work table where you stand or sit to do tasks.
Meaning
strong table for work
Collocations
work bench
|laboratory bench
|kitchen bench
|jeweler's bench
|bench vise
|bench space
Synonyms
workbench (More specific; clearly refers to a bench used for work, not for sitting.)
|
table (More general; not always suitable when the strength or special use is important.)
Themes
work
|technology
|science
Definition
A heavy table used for making or testing things, for example in a workshop or a science lab.
A strong, flat table used for practical work such as carpentry, metalwork, or laboratory experiments.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
5
Usage pattern:
appointed to the bench
She was the first woman appointed to the federal bench in that state.
Ő volt az első nő, akit abban az államban a szövetségi bírói kar tagjává neveztek ki.
The bench criticized the government’s handling of the case.
A bírói tanács bírálta, ahogyan a kormány kezelte az ügyet.
He spent twenty years on the bench before retiring.
The statement from the bench made headlines the next day.
In a bench trial, the bench alone decides the verdict.
Learner examples
He is respected on the bench.
A bírói karban nagy tisztelet övezi.
She was appointed to the bench last year.
Tavaly nevezték ki a bírói kar tagjává.
The bench did not agree with the new law.
The judge spoke from the bench to the lawyers.
In this case, the bench will decide, not a jury.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think *bench* in legal news always means the physical seat. In legal language, *the bench* usually means judges or the office of judge, not just the piece of furniture.
Meaning
judges or judge’s office
Collocations
the bench and the bar
|appointed to the bench
|on the bench
|bench trial
|from the bench
|federal bench
Synonyms
judiciary (More formal and institutional; refers to the whole system of courts and judges.)
|
the court (Can overlap, but also includes the courtroom, procedures, and staff, not only judges.)
Antonyms
the bar (Refers to lawyers as a professional group, often contrasted with judges (the bench).)
Themes
law
|government
|society
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
All the judges in a court, or the job and power of a judge.
The position, authority, or collective body of a judge or judges in a court of law.
NOUN
B1
6
Usage pattern:
lie on a bench to exercise
He adjusted the bench to an incline before starting his set.
Döntött helyzetbe állította az edzőpadot, mielőtt elkezdte a sorozatot.
Please wipe down the bench after you finish your workout.
Kérlek, töröld le az edzőpadot, miután befejezted az edzést.
This gym has only one flat bench and two incline benches.
She lay back on the bench and began her chest exercises.
They bought a folding weight bench for their home gym.
Learner examples
He lies on the bench and lifts the bar.
Ráfekszik az edzőpadra, és emeli a rudat.
Please move; I need the bench for my workout.
Kérlek, menj arrébb; szükségem van az edzőpadra az edzésemhez.
The gym has a new weight bench.
She uses the bench for chest exercises.
I put the dumbbells next to the bench.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that in a gym, *bench* usually means a special exercise support, not a normal seat in the room.
Meaning
support used for weightlifting
Collocations
weight bench
|flat bench
|incline bench
|bench press bench
|gym bench
|adjustable bench
Synonyms
weight bench (More specific; clearly refers to a bench for lifting weights.)
Themes
health
|sports
|fitness
Definition
A special seat or table in a gym where you lie or sit to lift weights.
A flat or angled support, often padded, on which a person lies or sits while doing weightlifting or fitness exercises.
VERB
B2
INFORMAL
7
fekvenyom
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] benches [amount of weight]
He says he can bench 100 kilos now.
Azt mondja, most már 100 kilót tud fekvenyomni.
I used to bench more in college than I do today.
Egyetemen többet tudtam fekvenyomni, mint ma.
She wants to bench her own bodyweight by the end of the year.
How much do you bench on your heavy day?
After training for months, he finally benched three plates.
Learner examples
He can bench 80 kilos.
80 kilót tud fekvenyomni.
I want to bench more weight this year.
Idén nagyobb súlyt szeretnék fekvenyomni.
She now benches her body weight.
How much do you bench at the gym?
Last year I could not bench this weight.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"bench press 100 kilos"* when they mean *"bench 100 kilos"*; both are acceptable, but *bench* alone is very common in gym talk when followed by a number.
Meaning
lift a weight in bench press
Collocations
bench 200 pounds
|bench more weight
|how much do you bench
|bench my own bodyweight
|trying to bench
Synonyms
bench-press (More explicit; clearly names the exercise and is slightly more technical.)
Themes
sports
|fitness
|health
Definition
To be able to lift a certain weight in the bench press exercise.
To lift a specified amount of weight in the bench press exercise.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
8
A narrow bench ran along the side of the canyon above the river.
Egy keskeny sziklaterasz húzódott a kanyon oldalában, a folyó fölött.
The mining company cut several benches into the slope of the open pit.
A bányavállalat több bányapadot vágott a külszíni fejtés lejtőjébe.
Wave action created a rocky bench at the base of the cliff.
Vegetation first appeared on the lower benches of the valley wall.
Each bench in the quarry was carefully measured for safety.
Learner examples
There is a flat bench of rock above the river.
A folyó fölött egy lapos sziklaterasz található.
The mine has many benches cut into the side.
A bánya oldalába sok bányapadot vágtak.
The sea makes a stone bench at the bottom of the cliff.
Small trees grow on the bench on the hill.
Workers walk along the bench in the open-pit mine.
Meaning
flat step of land or rock
Collocations
river bench
|erosional bench
|wave-cut bench
|mining bench
|quarry bench
|terrace bench
Synonyms
terrace (Similar landform; *terrace* is more common in general use, while *bench* is more technical.)
Themes
science
|geography
|industry
|nature
Definition
In science or mining, a flat step of land or rock on the side of a hill, valley, or mine.
A flat or gently sloping strip of land, rock, or ore that forms a step-like feature along a hillside, valley, or within an open-pit mine or quarry.
Grammar
Dictionary form
bench
IPA
GB/bˈɛnt͡ʃ/
US/bˈɛnt͡ʃ/
Syllables & stress
bench (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (bench)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: bench
- Plural: benches
Word family
Expressions
bench press
1/bˈɛnt͡ʃ pɹˈɛs/
fixed phrase
weightlifting exercise on a bench
A gym exercise where you lie on a bench and push a bar with weights up and down with your arms.
Examples
- The bench press is a classic chest exercise.
- He hurt his shoulder doing heavy bench press last week.
- She added the bench press to her workout routine.
bench strength
1/bˈɛnt͡ʃ stɹˈɛŋθ/
fixed phrase
depth of capable backups
How many good extra players or workers a team or company has who can take important jobs when needed.
Examples
- The company has strong bench strength in its management team.
- Our bench strength is weak, so injuries really hurt us.
- Good bench strength helps a team survive a long season.
bench trial
1/bˈɛnt͡ʃ tɹˈaɪl/
fixed phrase
technical
trial decided by judge only
A court case where only the judge, and not a group of people (a jury), decides if someone is guilty or not.
Examples
- The defendant chose a bench trial instead of a jury trial.
- In a bench trial, the judge alone weighs the evidence.
- Bench trials can sometimes be faster than jury trials.
come off the bench
1/kˈʌm ˈɔf ðə bˈɛnt͡ʃ/
idiom
enter game as substitute
To enter a game as a player who was sitting and waiting, not starting the game.
Examples
- She came off the bench and scored the winning goal.
- Three players came off the bench in the second half.
- He usually comes off the bench to give the team extra energy.
deep bench
1/dˈip bˈɛnt͡ʃ/
idiom
informal
having many capable backups
Having many extra good players or workers, not only a few stars.
Examples
- They have a deep bench at every position.
- The startup doesn’t have a deep bench of experienced leaders yet.
- Thanks to our deep bench, we can cover vacations easily.
from the bench
1/fɹˈʌm ðə bˈɛnt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
formal
spoken officially by a judge
Said or ordered officially by a judge in the courtroom.
Examples
- The judge issued a sharp warning from the bench.
- Comments from the bench suggested he doubted the witness.
- The new policy was criticized from the bench in several cases.
on the bench
1/ˈɔn ðə bˈɛnt͡ʃ/
idiom
not playing, as a substitute
Not playing in the game and sitting with the other players who are waiting to play.
Examples
- He spent most of the season on the bench.
- The coach left their best defender on the bench until the last ten minutes.
- She hates being on the bench and wants to start every game.
park bench
1/pˈɑɹk bˈɛnt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
bench in a public park
A bench that stands in a public park.
Examples
- They met on a park bench by the river.
- An old couple shared a sandwich on the park bench.
- He sat on a park bench and watched the children play.
take the bench
1/tˈeɪk ðə bˈɛnt͡ʃ/
idiom
formal
judge begins presiding in court
For a judge to come into the courtroom and start leading the court session.
Examples
- The judge will take the bench at 9 a.m.
- The courtroom fell silent as she took the bench.
- Once he takes the bench, all phones must be turned off.
the bench and the bar
1/ðə bˈɛnt͡ʃ ˈænd ðə bˈɑɹ/
fixed phrase
formal
judges and lawyers as groups
All judges and all lawyers, spoken of together as two professional groups.
Examples
- The reform was widely discussed by the bench and the bar.
- Relations between the bench and the bar have improved in recent years.
- Training programs were developed for both the bench and the bar.
warm the bench
1/wˈɔɹm ðə bˈɛnt͡ʃ/
idiom
informal
sit as unused substitute
To stay on the bench and not play in the game, especially for many games.
Examples
- He spent most of last year just warming the bench.
- No one wants to warm the bench during their final season.
- She got tired of warming the bench and asked to move to another team.
bench warrant
1/bˈɛnt͡ʃ wˈɔɹənt/
fixed phrase
warrant for failing to appear
A special kind of arrest warrant that a judge gives when a person does not come to court when they should.
Examples
- The judge issued a bench warrant when the witness did not show up.
- He was arrested on a bench warrant from another state.
bench warrant
2/bˈɛnt͡ʃ wˈɔɹənt/
fixed phrase
technical
arrest order for missed court
An official paper from a judge that tells the police to arrest someone who did not go to court when they had to.
Examples
- The judge issued a bench warrant after the witness failed to appear.
- Police arrested him on a bench warrant from another state.
- A bench warrant is often issued when someone skips a court date.