tiroir

Tiroir is a French noun meaning a drawer, a shallow, rectangular storage compartment that slides in and out within furniture or a container. In general usage it refers to the component that stores items and can be opened by pulling it toward the user. The term is widely used in French furniture terminology and appears in English-language texts to describe drawers with French-inspired design or in discussions of historical cabinetry.

Etymology and usage: Tiroir derives from the French tirer, “to pull.” The word emphasizes the action of pulling the drawer on glides or runners. In English, the ordinary word for the same component is simply “drawer,” while tiroir may be used to specify a French style, a cabinet with multiple drawers, or a historical piece.

Construction and mechanisms: A tiroir consists of a front panel, side walls, a bottom, and often a rear stop. It is designed to slide on runners or ball-bearing slides, with often dovetail or finger joints at the front corners for strength. Materials range from solid wood to plywood or MDF, with finishes and veneers to match furniture. The depth, width, and height of a tiroir determine its usability for particular items, and hardware such as handles or pulls can affect ergonomics and aesthetics.

Variants and contexts: Tiroirs appear in desks, dressers, chests, sideboards, and cabinetry, including kitchen and office furniture. In museum or restoration contexts, tiroirs may be described by their fit within a cabinet, their system of runs, or the decorative treatment of the front.

See also: Furniture hardware, cabinetry, drawer slides.