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noun B1 Intermediate Common

cabin

KA-bihn

Cabin (noun) means a small, simply built house, especially one made of logs in a rural or wooded area. Example: “They spent the weekend at a log cabin by the lake.”

noun
1
A small, simply built house, especially one made of logs in a rural or wooded area.
"They spent the weekend at a log cabin by the lake."
"He built the cabin himself over two summers."
2
A private room on a ship, or the passenger area of an aircraft.
"Turbulence rattled the cabin as the plane began its descent."
"Their cabin on the cruise ship had a small balcony."

How to Use Cabin

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA simple wooden house in the woods, or the enclosed passenger space on a ship or plane.

Common pairings
log cabin cabin crew cabin fever

Word Forms

cabined past tense, cabins plural, cabins singular

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Fill the Gap

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They spent the weekend at a log _____ by the lake.

Etymology

From Middle English caban, via Old French cabane, ultimately from Medieval Latin capanna, "a hut."

Origin: Medieval Latin

Related Words

Rhymes for cabin

See all rhymes for cabin →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “cabin” mean?

The word “cabin” means a small, simply built house, especially one made of logs in a rural or wooded area. In plain terms, a simple wooden house in the woods, or the enclosed passenger space on a ship or plane.

How do you pronounce “cabin”?

“Cabin” is pronounced KA-bihn (/ˈkæbɪn/ in IPA).

How do you use “cabin” in a sentence?

Here is “cabin” used in a sentence: “They spent the weekend at a log cabin by the lake.”

What is another word for “cabin”?

Words with a similar meaning to “cabin” include cell, chamber and pod.

What part of speech is “cabin”?

“Cabin” is a noun.

Where does the word “cabin” come from?

The word “cabin” comes from Medieval Latin. From Middle English caban, via Old French cabane, ultimately from Medieval Latin capanna, "a hut.".

Is “cabin” a common word?

“Cabin” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “cabin” have?

“Cabin” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, simply built house, especially one made of logs in a rural or wooded area.

What is the difference between a 'cabin' and a 'cottage'?

A cabin is a small, simply built house, often made of logs in a rural or wooded setting, while a cottage is a small house typically found in the countryside or a village and is often more finished. 'Cabin' suggests rustic, basic construction, whereas 'cottage' suggests cosiness.

What is the difference between the 'cabin' and the 'cockpit' on a plane?

The cabin is the passenger area of an aircraft where travellers sit, while the cockpit is the separate front compartment where the pilots control the plane. Passengers remain in the cabin throughout the flight.

What is the difference between a 'cabin' and a 'lodge'?

A cabin is usually a small, single dwelling of simple construction, while a lodge is often larger and may serve as a base for guests, hunters, or holidaymakers. A lodge can contain several rooms or sit among multiple cabins on its grounds.

What is a 'cabin' on a ship?

On a ship, a cabin is a private room where a passenger or crew member sleeps and keeps their belongings. This nautical sense is separate from the 'small log house' meaning of the word.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial