Definition
A piece of furniture with a flat top and legs, used for eating, working, or placing things on. It can also refer to a group of people seated together for a meal or meeting.
Example
Toda la familia se reúne a la mesa cada domingo.
Show translation
The whole family gathers at the table every Sunday.
Etymology
From Latin *mensa* ("table, dining table"), which also carried the meaning of "a meal" or "the act of eating." The Latin root is shared across all Romance languages: Portuguese *mesa*, Italian *mensa*, French *mense* (archaic). Interestingly, the English word "commensal" (sharing a table) derives from the same root.
Cultural note
In Spanish-speaking cultures, *la mesa* is deeply symbolic of family life and togetherness. The phrase *poner la mesa* (to set the table) and *sentarse a la mesa* (to sit down at the table) are daily rituals that signal structured family time. In business contexts, *mesa de negociaciones* (negotiating table) carries political weight. Note also that in parts of Latin America and Spain, *mesa* can describe a flat-topped geographical landform — equivalent to English "mesa" or "plateau," a word English actually borrowed directly from Spanish.