den

¹ American  

[den] / dɛn /

noun

1. the lair or shelter of a wild animal, especially a predatory mammal.

2. a room, often secluded, in a house or apartment, designed to provide a quiet, comfortable, and informal atmosphere for conversation, reading, writing, etc.

3. a cave used as a place of shelter or concealment.

4. a squalid or vile abode or place.

   dens of misery.

5. one of the units of a cub scout pack, analogous to a patrol in the Boy Scouts.

---

verb (used with object)

denned, denning

1. to drive or pursue (an animal) into its den.

2. to kill (an animal) inside its den.

verb (used without object)

denned, denning

1. to live in or as if in a den.

Den. ² American  

abbreviation

1. Denmark.

---

den ¹ British  

/ dɛn /

noun

1. the habitat or retreat of a lion or similar wild animal; lair

2. a small or secluded room in a home, often used for carrying on a hobby

3. a squalid or wretched room or retreat

4. a site or haunt

   a den of vice

5. a small wooded valley; dingle

6. dialect a place of sanctuary in certain catching games; home or base

---

verb

1. (intr) to live in or as if in a den

Den. ² British  

abbreviation

1. Denmark

---

Etymology

Origin of den

before 1000; Middle English; Old English denn; compare early Dutch denne floor, cave, den, German Tenne floor

Example Sentences

Meantime, Indiana is trying to bait the Bears to lumber over the state border and set up a den in the city of Hammond.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

It is thought the fox chose to create a den on one of the the islands there because it gives her cubs greater security.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

The couple turned the first-floor bedroom into a cozy den with dark blue walls and dog-related decor.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

Executives declined to specify where the bulk of the job cuts would come, but chief financial officer Harold van den Broek hinted they would come in Europe.

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

I follow my Father’s scent into the den.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

Related Words

• cave
• hotbed
• nest
• sanctuary