cabinet
KAB-ih-niht
Cabinet (noun) means a piece of furniture with doors or drawers used for storage or display. Example: “She kept the good china in a glass-fronted cabinet.”
noun
1
A piece of furniture with doors or drawers used for storage or display.
"She kept the good china in a glass-fronted cabinet."
"The bathroom cabinet was crammed with old medicine."
"He built a wooden cabinet for the garage to keep his tools tidy."
2
The senior group of ministers or advisors who help run a government.
"The prime minister reshuffled her cabinet after the election."
"Members of the cabinet met early this morning to discuss the new plan."
"She was proud to be chosen for the cabinet at such a young age."
How to use cabinet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a storage cupboard, or the top team of government ministers.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the furniture sense with "council" — a cabinet is specifically the small circle of top ministers, not parliament as a whole.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
kitchen cabinet
cabinet meeting
cabinet minister
filing cabinet
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Word forms
- Plural
- cabinets
Fill the gap
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She kept the good china in a glass-fronted _____.
Etymology
From "cabin" plus the diminutive suffix "-et," shaped by the similar French word cabinet; the political sense grew from "a small private room" where advisors met, much like "salon" took its name from a meeting room.
Related words
Rhymes for cabinet
See all rhymes for cabinet →Frequently asked questions
What does “cabinet” mean?
The word “cabinet” means a piece of furniture with doors or drawers used for storage or display. In plain terms, either a storage cupboard, or the top team of government ministers.
How do you pronounce “cabinet”?
“Cabinet” is pronounced KAB-ih-niht (/ˈkæb.ɪ.nɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “cabinet” in a sentence?
Here is “cabinet” used in a sentence: “She kept the good china in a glass-fronted cabinet.”
What part of speech is “cabinet”?
“Cabinet” is a noun.
Where does the word “cabinet” come from?
The word “cabinet” comes from French. From "cabin" plus the diminutive suffix "-et," shaped by the similar French word cabinet; the political sense grew from "a small private room" where advisors met, much like "salon" took its name from a meeting room.
Is “cabinet” a common word?
“Cabinet” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “cabinet” have?
“Cabinet” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a piece of furniture with doors or drawers used for storage or display.
What is the difference between a cabinet and a cupboard?
Both store things behind doors, but a cupboard is typically built-in or recessed with shelves, used mainly for food, crockery, or clothes. A cabinet is usually a freestanding piece, often with drawers or glass doors, and may be made to display its contents as well as store them.
What are common types of cabinets?
Everyday types include kitchen cabinets for food and utensils, bathroom or medicine cabinets, filing cabinets for documents, display or china cabinets with glass fronts, and drinks cabinets. There are also specialist ones such as tool cabinets and the sealed cabinets used to house electronics or arcade machines.
What is the difference between a cabinet and a wardrobe?
A wardrobe is a tall cabinet made specifically for hanging and storing clothes, usually with a rail inside. A cabinet is a more general term for a storage piece with doors or drawers, used for all sorts of items. Every wardrobe is a cabinet of sorts, but built for clothing.
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