English Reference
noun · verb

cabin

n. · v.
US /ˈkæbən/ UK /kˈæbɪn/ cab·in UK spelling cabin's, cabin's, cabining

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

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

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

    Simple

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

    In context

    The family retreated to their lakeside cabin every summer to escape the heat and noise of the city.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Computing

    n.the area inside an airplane where the passengers sit.

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

    Simple

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

    In context

    Modern aircraft are designed with pressurized cabins to ensure passenger comfort and safety at high altitudes.

  3. 03 B1 Intermediate

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

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

    Simple

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

    In context

    The captain retired to his cabin to review the navigational charts before the storm reached its peak.

    berthstateroomquarters
  4. 04 C1 Advanced Dialect

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

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

    Simple

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

    In context

    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.

  5. 05 C2 Proficiency Literary

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

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

    Simple

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

    In context

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

This will be an eight-kilo cabin bag and one personal item.

The Local· 18 Aug 2026

Passengers managed to pull the man back into the cabin.

Al Jazeera· 14 Aug 2026

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

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin la-med capanna
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated