noun

kit

KIHT

noun

A set of equipment, tools, or personal items packed together for a particular purpose, such as a soldier's gear or a workman's tools.

"She packed her sewing kit before the trip."

"Every soldier is issued a standard kit on arrival at base."

A set of parts sold together for the buyer to assemble.

"He built the model plane from a kit he got for his birthday."

"The flat-pack wardrobe came as a kit with its own instructions."

The official uniform and equipment worn by players on a sports team.

"The team unveiled its new away kit ahead of the season."

A young cat, fox, rabbit, or similar small animal.

"The vixen led her kits out of the den at dusk."

verb

To equip someone with the gear or clothing they need.

"The club kitted out every new player with boots and a jersey."

How to Use Kit

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA set of gear, tools, or parts put together for one job — or, informally, a baby animal.

Common mistake

In British English "kit" often just means clothes or sports uniform ("forgot my PE kit"), a usage that sounds unusual in American English.

Common pairings

first aid kit football kit flat-pack kit kit out

Word Forms

kitted past tense, kits plural, kits plural, kits plural, kits plural, kits singular

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She packed her sewing _____ before the trip.

Etymology

From a Middle Dutch word for a wooden vessel made of curved staves. The sense shifted over time from a container to whatever was carried inside it — first a soldier's pack, then any bundle of gear, and eventually a boxed set of parts to assemble.

Rhymes for kit

skit lookit

See all rhymes for kit →