benched

1. 1
   verb

   Simple past tense and past participle of bench.

   Management benched the project until new funding came through.

   The star striker was benched after showing up late to training.

   Note

   One spelling does two jobs: the simple past (the coach benched her) and the participle after have or be (she was benched for the final). The sports sense also stretches figuratively to anyone sidelined from responsibility. In gym talk the word means bench-pressed and can take an object or stand alone. When it means "furnished with benches," it shades into the adjective for seated spaces.

2. 2
   adjective

   Equipped with a fixed bench or several benches.

   The architect designed a benched courtyard for outdoor gatherings.

   Each benched bay along the wall could seat several visitors.

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