tray

A tray is a shallow, flat container with raised edges designed to hold, carry, or organize items. Trays are portable and come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and materials, including wood, metal, plastic, and glass. They are used in homes, kitchens, restaurants, offices, hospitals, and laboratories to transport food, organize tools, or manage supplies.

Common varieties include serving trays for meals and beverages; bed trays and breakfast trays for use in bed; lunch trays in cafeterias; and tray tables that fold out of furniture such as airplanes. In offices and workshops, desk trays and parts trays help manage papers, small components, or utensils. Medical and dental settings use instrument trays and impression trays to hold equipment or materials during procedures.

In computing, the term tray appears in the system tray (notification area), a portion of the user interface that hosts background apps and status icons.

Overall, trays are valued for their simplicity and versatility, serving as portable carriers, organizing aids, and functional components across various daily and professional tasks.