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REFERENCE

cabin

n. · v.
US //ˈkæbən// UK //kˈæbɪn// cab·in
  1. 1 small wooden house (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a small, simple house, often built of wood and located in a forest or mountain area.

    a small, rustic dwelling, typically constructed from logs or timber and situated in a remote or rural setting.

    Example

    We spent the weekend at a cozy wooden cabin in the mountains.

    Example

    The family retreated to their lakeside cabin every summer to escape the heat and noise of the city.
  2. 2 airplane interior (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Computing

    the area inside an airplane where the passengers sit.

    the interior compartment of an aircraft designed for the transport of passengers and crew.

    Example

    The flight attendant walked through the cabin to check everyone's seatbelt.

    Example

    Modern aircraft are designed with pressurized cabins to ensure passenger comfort and safety at high altitudes.
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  1. 3 room on a ship (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a private room for a passenger or crew member on a ship.

    a private room or compartment on a vessel, particularly one used for sleeping.

    Example

    Our cabin on the cruise ship was small but had a great view of the ocean.

    Example

    The captain retired to his cabin to review the navigational charts before the storm reached its peak.
  2. 4 private office (n.)
    C1 Advanced Dialect

    a small private office for a professional person like a doctor or manager.

    a partitioned or private office space within a larger building, used by professionals.

    Example

    The doctor asked me to wait inside his cabin while he looked at my results.

    Example

    The manager's cabin was situated at the far end of the floor, providing a quiet space for confidential meetings.

    Usage

    This sense is primarily used in Indian English.

    Teacher's tip

    In most varieties of English, 'office' or 'consulting room' is preferred; 'cabin' in this context is specific to South Asian dialects.
  3. 5 to confine (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary

    to keep someone or something in a small, tight space.

    to confine or limit someone within a narrow or restricted space.

    Example

    He felt cabined and confined by the small apartment and the busy city life.

    Example

    The poet described feeling cabined by the rigid social expectations of the era, longing for the freedom of the open sea.
Origin

From Middle English caban, cabane, from Old French cabane, from Medieval Latin capanna (“a cabin”); see further etymology there. Doublet of cabana and cabane.

Word family

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