tray
tray — noun
1. a flat board with a slightly raised border that people use when they need to car
a flat board with a slightly raised border that people use when they need to carry cups, plates, or other items from one place to another without dropping anything.
Ilan carried a tray of coffee cups carefully down the stairs to the living room.
carry a tray of [items]
The waiter set a tray with two plates and soup on the table.
Yuki balanced a heavy tray on one hand while she opened the kitchen door.
Amani brought out a silver tray filled with small cakes for the evening guests.
Otis used a plastic tray to carry his lunch from the cafeteria to the garden.
- platter
a large flat dish used for presenting food at the table, usually without raised edges for carrying
- salver
a formal, often metal tray used in ceremonies or by waiters presenting drinks or items to guests
- plate
a flat, round dish for individual food portions, lacking the raised rim and transport function of a tray
2. a shallow box with an open top that you keep on a desk and use for storing docum
a shallow box with an open top that you keep on a desk and use for storing documents, letters, or files that still need to be read or processed.
Rodrigo sorted the invoices into the tray marked "Pending."
Gita placed the signed contracts in the tray on her secretary's desk.
On Eleni's desk, a wooden tray held all the letters that needed a reply.
Cyrus emptied the out-tray before leaving the office for the weekend.
Bao stacked the printed reports in a plastic tray next to the printer.
- in-tray
specifically a tray for documents that have arrived and need attention
- out-tray
specifically a tray for documents that have been processed and are ready to leave
- file holder
a more general container that may be upright or enclosed, not necessarily with raised edges
用法筆記
Frequently paired with 'in' and 'out' to form in-tray (for incoming documents) and out-tray (for outgoing documents). British English often uses 'in-tray' and 'out-tray'; American English prefers 'inbox' and 'outbox' on a desk.