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bench

bench

3 7.2
A flat area on a hillside or slope where people can rest
  • noun
  • /bɛnʧ/
  • Specialized
: bancal
  • The garden has a beautiful bench that overlooks the valley, making it a great place to relax.
  • a bench terrace

I also want to mention that this entire bench runs east to West.

Examples

  • The Helium Works sat below the treeline on a barren rock bench.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Orchards filled the valley north and south of town and extended up onto the arid bench lands.

    Academic text (2001)
  • I also want to mention that this entire bench runs east to West.

  • Look at that like natural bench right in the middle of the ledge.

  • Its flattened bench was about ten feet above the rock floor.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The house is situated on a bench above the north bank of the McKenzie River, in mixed old-growth forest.

    Academic text (2009)
  • Breaking the continuous slope into a series of bench terraces impeded the downhill flow of water.

    Academic text (1997)
  • While hiking, we found a flat bench that provided a perfect spot to rest and enjoy the view.

  • They camped on a small bench along the hillside, enjoying the gentle slope and scenic surroundings.

Synonyms

terrace
vsbench
14 4.1

A flat level area on a slope used for farming

is slightly sloped rather than perfectly level
benchland
vsbench
  • Specialized
1 7.3

A strip of flat or gently sloping land on a hillside used for farming

is broader and not limited to narrow farming strips

Idioms

2 7.5

To stay on the sidelines and not play in a game

1 7.0

A player who sits on the side and does not play in games

Compounds

23 1.0

A long seat with a back in a park for people to sit

18 3.0

An exercise where a person lies on their back on a bench and pushes weight up from the chest

bench warrant
  • Formal
6 8.1

An order from a judge that allows police to arrest someone and bring them to court

lab bench
  • Specialized
2 2.8

A long sturdy table in a lab used for experiments

bench warmer
  • Informal
2 6.7

A player on a sports team who rarely plays

1 6.4

A metal or stone mark in the ground that shows a known height to measure land

bench press
  • Specialized
1 5.6

A small press fixed to a workbench for punching or shaping metal

bench-warmer
  • Informal
1 5.8

A player who rarely plays and stays on the bench during games

laboratory bench
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A strong table in a lab where people do experiments

1 3.1

A strong, flat surface you lie on to lift weights

front bench
  • Jargon
1 6.5

Seats in parliament for government ministers or top opposition members

1 1.4

A long wooden seat with a back for people to sit in a church

bench jockey
  • Informal
1 9.3

A person who supports and cheers for the team from the sideline

bench vise
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A tool fixed to a workbench with two parts that press to hold things while you work

incline bench press
  • Specialized
1 5.5

An exercise pressing a barbell or dumbbells up on a sloping bench to work the upper chest

1 5.3

A tool that holds a piece on a workbench firmly while you cut or drill

optical bench
  • Specialized
1 7.5

A long fixed bar that holds lenses and mirrors for experiments

woodworking bench
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A strong table that holds wood while you cut or shape it

1 8.8

A wooden block attached to a bench that holds wood steady while you cut or shape it

bench lathe
  • Specialized
8.0

A small machine fixed to a workbench that turns metal or wood for careful shaping

How Big

plateau
55 3.9
mesa
13 7.2
terrace
14 4.1
bench
  • Specialized
3 7.2
to ledge
  • Specialized
9.2

Surface Forms

bench singular
benches plural

Etymology

Bench for a flat area on a slope comes from the idea of a 'shelf' or ledge in the land, like a natural place to sit or stand. That's why geographers call a flat step on a hillside a bench.