kennel

[ ken-l ]

/ ˈkɛn l /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for kennel on Thesaurus.com

noun

a house or shelter for a dog or a cat.

Often kennels. an establishment where dogs or cats are bred, raised, trained, or boarded.

the hole or lair of an animal, especially a fox.

a wretched abode likened to a doghouse.

a pack of dogs.

verb (used with object), ken·neled, ken·nel·ing or (especially British) ken·nelled, ken·nel·ling.

to put into or keep in a kennel: to kennel a dog for a week.

verb (used without object), ken·neled, ken·nel·ing or (especially British) ken·nelled, ken·nel·ling.

to take shelter or lodge in a kennel.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of kennel

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English kenel, from unattested Anglo-French kenil, from French chenil or directly from unattested Vulgar Latin canīle (Latin can(is) “dog” + -īle suffix of place)

Words nearby kennel

Kennebunkport, Kennedy, Kennedy, Edward, Kennedy, John F., Kennedy, Robert, kennel, kennel club, Kennelly, Kennelly-Heaviside layer, Kenner, Kennesaw Mountain

Other definitions for kennel (2 of 2)

kennel²

[ ken-l ]

/ ˈkɛn l /

noun

an open drain or sewer; gutter.

Origin of kennel

1575–85; variant of cannel,Middle English canelchannel¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use kennel in a sentence

Dog kennels and dog crates are categorized by the crate’s length and the weight of the dog they’re designed to contain.
Best dog crate: These indestructible pet products for the home keep your pup cozy and safe|Irena Collaku|July 13, 2021|Popular-Science
Apparently these foxes were kept in dog kennels, which is improper, and weren’t fed or watered properly—by all accounts, the SibFox people were not licensed and were inexperienced at importing exotic animals.
Can I have a pet fox?|empire|July 1, 2021|Popular-Science
The blood testing was done by a farm veterinarian out in Russia, though Mitch had to fabricate his own cage—he says a standard dog kennel isn’t up to the task of containing a fox.
Can I have a pet fox?|empire|July 1, 2021|Popular-Science
Though pets are not permitted in the caves or cave buildings, Mammoth Cave Lodge runs a kennel for to house your pup when you go on a cave tour.
The Most Dog-Friendly National Parks in the U.S.|Emily Pennington|May 7, 2021|Outside Online

Pets are not permitted in buildings, on shuttles, or in lodges, but Yosemite Hospitality runs a kennel service if you want to go off on a dirt trail or backpack overnight.
The Most Dog-Friendly National Parks in the U.S.|Emily Pennington|May 7, 2021|Outside Online
The Humane Society is under attack by a PR firm that advises the American Kennel Association.
The Sleazy War on the Humane Society|Center for Public Integrity|August 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The American Kennel Club maintains it is not a Berman customer.
The Sleazy War on the Humane Society|Center for Public Integrity|August 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At Westminster Kennel Club, wire fox terrier Sky wins Best in Show.
Up to a Point: P.J. O’Rourke on Valentine’s Day and Oral Hygiene|P. J. O’Rourke|February 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Brus, 7½, did not react well to other animals and had behavioral problems which meant he could not be sent to a kennel.
How William's Guard Dogs Were Killed Days After He Left His RAF Job|Tom Sykes|September 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The Puppy Bowl would be a good obvious choice, with the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show as a close second.
Oscars, the Super Bowl for Women & Other People’s Super Bowls|Kevin Fallon|February 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Skilled physicians feign indifference to their calling that they may smack of the kennel and the hunting-field.
A Cursory History of Swearing|Julian Sharman
Frequently he brings his patient to his own kennel, and takes care of him until he either gets well or dies.
Stories about Animals: with Pictures to Match|Francis C. Woodworth
In the following extract, the 'kennel' means the city of Geneva; the 'puddle' its lake, and the 'wall' its rampart.
Fox's Book of Martyrs|John Foxe
Kit could only think of a lost, homesick dog begging for the scent of the trail to his own kennel.
The Treasure Trail|Marah Ellis Ryan
Reducing more and more that famishing dog-kennel of a Brandenburg into a fruitful arable field.
History Of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. III. (of XXI.)|Thomas Carlyle

British Dictionary definitions for kennel (1 of 2)

kennel¹

/ (ˈkɛnəl) /

noun

a hutlike shelter for a dogUS name: doghouse

(usually plural) an establishment where dogs are bred, trained, boarded, etc

the lair of a fox or other animal

a ramshackle house; hovel

a pack of hounds

verb -nels, -nelling or -nelled or US -nels, -neling or -neled

to put or go into a kennel; keep or stay in a kennel

Word Origin for kennel

C14: from Old French chenil, from Vulgar Latin canīle (unattested), from Latin canis dog

British Dictionary definitions for kennel (2 of 2)

kennel²

/ (ˈkɛnəl) /

noun

archaic an open sewer or street gutter

Word Origin for kennel

C16: variant of cannel channel 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

kennel

Origin of kennel

Words nearby kennel

Other definitions for kennel (2 of 2)

Origin of kennel

Words related to kennel

How to use kennel in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for kennel (1 of 2)

Word Origin for kennel

British Dictionary definitions for kennel (2 of 2)

Word Origin for kennel