kibble
1 Americanverb (used with object)
noun
noun
verb
noun
noun
Etymology
Origin of kibble1
First recorded in 1780–90; origin uncertain
Origin of kibble2
First recorded in 1665–75, kibble is from the German word Kübel pail, vat
Explanation
Kibble is dry pet food. If your dog is sitting next to her dish and looking up at you with big, mournful eyes, she wants you to give her some kibble. You might be more likely to call kibble "dog food" or "cat food" — or even "guinea pig food." It's an all-purpose term for any kind of meal or feed that's formed into hard pellets, and it's a very common type of food for feeding pets and livestock. This word dates from around 1955, from a now uncommon verb meaning "to grind or chop coarsely."
Vocabulary lists containing kibble
Starfish
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Dog Squad
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The World According to Humphrey
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It was one of my takeaways from Big Kibble, a book Bingo’s rescue organization pressed into my hands at her adoption orientation along with a bag of frozen meals from the fresh-food brand JustFoodForDogs.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026
Washington Prep 100, Crenshaw 53: Jayshawn Kibble scored 38 points and Bricyn Coleman had 30 points for Washington Prep.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 24, 2026
Kibble, for one, has made the trip from Milton every year since the tournament began 15 years ago and has no plans to stop now.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2024
But whether Impossible Kibble can keep cats healthy in the long run is hard to say; the additives may not be as easy to absorb as their natural, meat-occurring counterparts.
From Slate • Oct. 30, 2023
Show the Force the Six Jolly Fellowship Porters, and the Force—to a constable—will show you a piece of perfection, Mr Kibble.'
From Our Mutual Friend by Dickens, Charles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
