cube

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈkyüb 

1

a

: the regular solid of six equal square sides see Volume Formulas Table

b

: something shaped like a cube

an ice cube

c

: cubicle sense 2

an office cube

2

: the product of a number multiplied by itself twice

cube

2 of 4

adjective

: raised to the third power

cube

3 of 4

verb

cubed; cubing

transitive verb

1

: to raise to the third power

2

: to form into a cube

3

: to cut partly through (a steak) in a checkered pattern to increase tenderness by breaking the fibers

cuber noun

cube

4 of 4

noun (2)

cu·​be ˈkyü-ˌbā  kyü-ˈbā 

variants or cubé

: either of two tropical American plants (Deguelia utilis synonym Lonchocarpus utilis or L. urucu) furnishing rotenone

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• bay
• cabin
• cell
• chamber
• compartment
• cubicle

Examples of cube in a Sentence

Noun (1)

even though they worked in adjoining cubes, the two coworkers rarely acknowledged one another's existence

Verb

Cube the carrots and potatoes.

three slices of bread, cubed

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Separate into freezer containers using amounts that will be used in recipes, leaving headspace (or put three tablespoons each of whole egg mixture into ice cube tray slots, then transfer to moisture-vapor-proof containers once frozen and immediately put back in the freezer. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 10 Dec. 2024

Get your compression cubes ready for action and read on for my foolproof ski trip carry-on packing list. —Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2024

Adjective

While cube storage has come a long way, with many different grids and arrangements of the cubes available, the truly genius way to take these shelving units from good to incredible is to make use of organizers that fit into each cube. —Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 July 2024

Simply cube angel food cake and pile it into a glass trifle bowl with layers of fresh fruit and creamy Greek yogurt. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2024

Verb

Just peel and cube them, put them in your slow cooker along with brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and other ingredients. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 7 Dec. 2024

By contrast, cubed stuffing mix, fresh cranberries and dinner rolls are more expensive this year. —Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Latin cubus, from Greek kybos die, cube

Noun (2)

American Spanish cubé

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1570, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1924, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cube

• bouillon cube
• cube farm
• cube root
• cube steak
• stock cube
• sugar cube

Kids Definition

cube

1 of 2 noun

ˈkyüb 

1

: the solid body having six equal square sides

2

: the result of raising a number to the third power

the cube of 2 is 8

cube

2 of 2 verb

cubed; cubing

1

: to raise to the third power

2

: to form into a cube

3

: to cut a checkered pattern into

cube a steak