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tableau

tab·leau [ ˈta-ˌblō]

tableau

noun

[ˈta-ˌblō]

plural tableaux\ ˈta-ˌblōz , ta-ˈblōz \ also tableaus

Definition of tableau

1 : a graphic description or representation : picture winsome tableaux of old-fashioned literary days— J. D. Hart

2 : a striking or artistic grouping : arrangement, scene

3 [short for tableau vivant (from French, literally, living picture)] : a depiction of a scene usually presented on a stage by silent and motionless costumed participants

Recent Examples on the Web

//Yet, the humor also introduces an essential element of fun into the bedroom tableau.
— Los Angeles Times, "Review: Sarah Lucas show at the Hammer Museum is naked but definitely not afraid," 17 July 2019
//That tableau doesn’t look so good to Democrats these days, in light of privacy invasions on Facebook and concerns about how Russian agents used the company to interfere in the 2016 election.
— Joe Garofoli, SFChronicle.com, "Cory Booker is trying to show that ‘love’ can win in an era of hate," 6 June 2019
//But the impending reincarnation of the Waffle Shop is an opportunity to contemplate the city that was, a tableau of retail nooks and crannies, many with their own character and culture.
— Paul Schwartzman, Washington Post, "A dozen years later, a new life for an iconic D.C. greasy spoon," 21 July 2019
//The final movement, a hunting song, more evoked a genteel tableau than a chase.
— Zoë Madonna, BostonGlobe.com, "Boston Symphony Orchestra begins Tanglewood season in style," 7 July 2019
//In typical whodunit fashion, the family is full of strange characters, big secrets, and tense relationships that make for a zany tableau.
— Julia Alexander, The Verge, "The first trailer for Rian Johnson’s Knives Out is a wild take on whodunits," 2 July 2019
//The massive reunion made for a lovely tableau, but who exactly was at the gathering?
— Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, "Every Royal Family Member on the Buckingham Palace Balcony for Trooping the Colour 2019," 8 June 2019
//The tableau represented America’s past and future in space.
— Lee Roop | Lroop@al.com, al.com, "Von Braun’s daughter: Space is great, but climate change urgent," 17 July 2019
//The wrong mics were on, strange voices seemed to pipe in from the great beyond, and a hugely important question about gun violence was repeated, to no avail, as the whole tableau of candidates onstage looked confused.
— Washington Post, "NBC’s technical glitch was bad. But the debate’s overall chaos was far worse.," 27 June 2019

First Known Use of tableau

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for tableau

French, from Middle French tablel, diminutive of table, from Old French

Dictionary Entries near tableau

Phrases Related to tableau

pick up the tab

pick up the tab/bill/check

tab key

More Definitions fortableau

tableau

noun

English Language Learners Definition of tableau

: a view or sight that looks like a picture

: a scene that typically shows an event in history or literature and that is created on a stage by a group of people who are dressed in costumes and who do not speak or move

tableau

noun

tab·leau | \ ˈta-ˌblō \

plural tableaux also tableaus\ -ˌlōz \

Kids Definition of tableau

: a scene or event shown by a group of persons who remain still and silent