cupboard

American  

[kuhb-erd] / ˈkʌb ərd /

noun

1. a closet with shelves for dishes, cups, etc.

2. Chiefly British. any small closet or cabinet, as for clothes, food, or the like.

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cupboard British  

/ ˈkʌbəd /

noun

1. a piece of furniture or a recessed area of a room, with a door concealing storage space

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Etymology

Origin of cupboard

First recorded in 1275–1325, cupboard is from the Middle English word cuppebord. See cup, board

Explanation

A cupboard is a piece of furniture that's used for storing things. Your kitchen cupboard might actually be full of cups, while the cupboard in your bedroom might hold sweaters and socks. Some cupboards are built into a wall, like a closet, while others are freestanding cabinets. A cupboard usually has doors that open and shelves inside, for storage. The very earliest cupboards, in the 14th century, were exactly what the word describes: a board or table used for putting cups or dishes on. Over the following two hundred years, cupboard came to mean an enclosed cabinet for the same purpose.

Example Sentences

A good first step to reducing screen time could be designating a set place in the home for devices, such as a particular cupboard.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

The divestment of its remaining food brands would be a milestone for a group that long championed holding pantry and bathroom staples in one corporate cupboard.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

During a break, Mathiassen pulled a photo album from the cupboard.

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

As well as clothing and shoes, the cupboard also stocks personal hygiene products and laundry detergents.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

He let go of her then and searched the cupboard, even running his hands over the shelves, though he must have been able to see there was no rice.

From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata

Related Words

• closet
• locker
• sideboard
• storeroom