kennel

1 of 3

noun (1)

ken·​nel ˈke-nᵊl How to pronounce kennel (audio)
Synonyms of kennelnext
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
Nine of the pooches were left outside in kennels in sweltering 98-degree temperatures. — Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026 If your dog isn’t comfortable in a kennel, a harness or pet seat belt that buckles into your vehicle can also help keep them secure. — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
In the shelter, he was kenneled with a dog who had deadly parvovirus. — Maryanne Dell, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026 Crates can be especially useful, as some shelters may have specific rules in place about having pets kenneled at certain hours. — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 15 Mar. 2026 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

Rhymes for kennel

See All Rhymes for kennel

Browse Nearby Words

Kennedy Onassis
kennel
kennel club
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kennel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kennel. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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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

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for kennel

Nglish: Translation of kennel for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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