kennel

1 of 3

noun (1)

ken·​nel ˈke-nᵊl How to pronounce kennel (audio)
1
a
: a shelter for a dog or cat
b
: an establishment for the breeding or boarding of dogs or cats
2
: a pack of dogs

kennel

2 of 3

verb

kenneled or kennelled; kenneling or kennelling

transitive verb

: to put or keep in or as if in a kennel

intransitive verb

: to take shelter in or as if in a kennel

kennel

3 of 3

noun (2)

: a gutter in a street

Examples of kennel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
This morning’s must reads California vowed to shut down kennels where hundreds of captive dogs supply blood for veterinary care. Shelby Grad, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024 Your canine could also develop an illness such as kennel cough after a visit to a doggy day care. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
Rodriguez, the department’s deputy director, said Tundra could not be kenneled with other dogs and the shelter was full, so he was euthanized. Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2023 Considering an outbreak can last six months after the first sign of outbreak, those who plan to kennel their dogs during the holiday season are encouraged to vaccinate their dogs as soon as possible. Tony Holt, Arkansas Online, 9 July 2023 See all Example Sentences for kennel 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English kenel, from Anglo-French *kenil, from Vulgar Latin *canile, from Latin canis dog — more at hound

Noun (2)

alteration of cannel gutter

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1552, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kennel was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near kennel

Cite this Entry

“Kennel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kennel. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

kennel

1 of 2 noun
ken·​nel ˈken-ᵊl How to pronounce kennel (audio)
1
: a shelter for a dog
2
: a place where dogs or cats are bred or housed

kennel

2 of 2 verb
kenneled or kennelled; kenneling or kennelling
: to put or keep in a kennel

More from Merriam-Webster on kennel

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