kit

¹ American  

[kit] / kɪt /

noun

1. a set or collection of tools, supplies, instructional matter, etc., for a specific purpose.

   a first-aid kit; a sales kit.

2. the case for containing these.

3. such a case and its contents.

4. a set of materials or parts from which something can be assembled.

   a model car made from a kit.

5. Informal. a set, lot, or collection of things or persons.

6. a wooden tub, pail, etc., usually circular.

7. Chiefly British. a costume or outfit of clothing, especially for a specific purpose.

   ski kit; dancing kit; battle kit.

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verb (used with object)

kitted, kitting

1. to package or make available in a kit.

   a new model airplane that has just been kitted for the hobbyist.

2. Chiefly British. to outfit or equip (often followed by out orup ).

idioms

1. kit and caboodle / boodle, the whole lot of persons or things; all of something (often preceded bywhole ).

   We took along the whole kit and caboodle in the station wagon.

kit ² American  

[kit] / kɪt /

noun

1. a violin or rebec small enough to be carried in the pocket, used by dancing masters in the 17th and 18th centuries.

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kit ³ American  

[kit] / kɪt /

noun

1. kitten.

2. a young fox, beaver, or other small furbearing animal.

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Kit ⁴ American  

[kit] / kɪt /

noun

1. a male given name, form of Christopher.

2. a female given name, form of Catherine or Katherine.

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kit ¹ British  

/ kɪt /

noun

1. a set of tools, supplies, construction materials, etc, for use together or for a purpose

   a first-aid kit

   a model aircraft kit

2. the case or container for such a set

3. 1. a set of pieces of equipment ready to be assembled

   2. ( as modifier )

      kit furniture

4. 1. clothing and other personal effects, esp those of a traveller or soldier

      safari kit

      battle kit

   2. informal clothing in general (esp in the phrase get one's kit off )

5. a flax basket

6. informal everything or everybody

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kit ² British  

/ kɪt /

noun

1. an informal or diminutive name for kitten

2. a cub of various small mammals, such as the ferret or fox

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KIT ³ British  

abbreviation

1. keep in touch

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kit ⁴ British  

/ kɪt /

noun

1. a kind of small violin, now obsolete, used esp by dancing masters in the 17th–18th centuries

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kit ⁵ British  

/ kɪt /

noun

1. a plaited flax basket

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Etymology

Origin of kit¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English kit(te), kyt(t) “wooden bucket or tub,” from Middle Dutch kitte “jug, tankard”

Origin of kit²

First recorded in 1510–20; origin uncertain

Origin of kit³

First recorded in 1555–65; shortening of kitten ( def. )

Example Sentences

They help us discuss what thoughtful, constructive behavior in the finance industry can look like and how a sharp finance tool kit can be used effectively for social impact.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Given its deep ties with the trend-setting US basketball and American football leagues, the NBA and NFL, it feels apt streetwear styles are included in this year's North American World Cup kit collections.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

“The last time we convened, he noticed me glaring at his drum kit in wonder — I knew that there had to be a LOT of history there,” Parker recalled.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Waiting in my seat: Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, including two pillows, a comforter and a blanket, headphones, bottled water and an amenity kit with designer skin care from Perricone MD.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The kit was so small that Bat couldn’t even tell he was in the towel except for the tiny face that peeked out.

From "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold

Related Words

• apparatus
• bag
• container
• gear
• material