English Reference

Word

cabinet

Phoneticscab·i·net, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈkæbənət/

UK/kˈæbɪnət/

Definitions

01storage furniture

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a piece of furniture with shelves, drawers, or doors used for storing things like dishes, tools, or files.

n. a storage case or cupboard with shelves or drawers, often built into a wall or standing as a separate piece of furniture.

“We keep all the cleaning supplies in the cabinet under the kitchen sink.”

“The carpenter installed custom oak cabinets throughout the kitchen to maximize the available storage space in the narrow room.”

02government advisors

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Politics

n. a group of the most senior politicians who advise a leader and run government departments.

n. the body of high-ranking state officials, typically consisting of the top leaders of the executive branch.

“The president met with her cabinet to discuss the new economic plan.”

“The Prime Minister faced significant pressure to reshuffle the cabinet following the controversial failure of the housing initiative.”

03technical enclosure

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Computing Technical

n. a box or case that holds electrical or mechanical equipment.

n. a protective housing or assembly for electronic, mechanical, or computing equipment.

“The server cabinet in the basement was making a loud humming noise.”

“The technician opened the telecommunications cabinet to inspect the wiring for signs of heat damage or corrosion.”

04milkshake

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun American English · Dialect

n. a cold drink made of milk, ice cream, and flavouring.

n. a regional term for a milkshake, specifically one made with coffee or chocolate syrup.

“When we visited Rhode Island, I tried a coffee cabinet for the first time.”

“The local diner is famous for its thick coffee cabinets, a traditional treat that remains a staple of the regional diet.”

Teaching tip

This sense is highly localized to Rhode Island and parts of Massachusetts; most English speakers will only know the furniture or political senses.

Synonyms

milkshakefrappe

05private room

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Archaic · Literary

n. a small, private room for meeting or thinking.

n. a small, private room or chamber, often used for study or confidential business.

“The king retired to his private cabinet to read the secret letters.”

“The diplomat was ushered into a small, dimly lit cabinet where the count awaited him for a private audience.”

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “cabinet” in context.

Verb

01. appoint a shadow cabinet

“The leader of the opposition will appoint a shadow cabinet to scrutinize the government's new policies.”

verb + noun

02. install a kitchen cabinet

“We hired a professional contractor to install a custom kitchen cabinet in the corner.”

verb + noun

03. reshuffle the cabinet

“The Prime Minister decided to reshuffle the cabinet to address growing public concerns about the economy.”

verb + noun

Adjective

04. inner cabinet

“The most critical decisions were made by a small inner cabinet of trusted advisors.”

adj + noun

05. locked filing cabinet

“All sensitive documents must be kept in a locked filing cabinet at the end of the day.”

adj + noun

Noun

06. cabinet meeting

“The emergency cabinet meeting lasted for five hours as they discussed the national security threat.”

noun + noun

07. display cabinet

“The museum placed the rare artifacts in a glass display cabinet with reinforced security.”

noun + noun

08. member of the cabinet

“Every member of the cabinet was required to sign the new collective responsibility agreement.”

noun + of + noun

09. cabinet minister

10. cabinet ministers

Real-World Examples

“Far-right National Security Minister Ben-Gvir sits on Israel's security cabinet, which helps shape war and policy.”
Al Jazeera 16 Aug 2026
“Unfortunately, a cabinet minister resigns and publishes a three-page-long letter that contains the phrase "the PM was warned" four times.”
BBC News 15 Aug 2026

Etymology

From cabin + -et, influenced by French cabinet. In sense of “a government group”, compare salon, also named for a room used to gather.

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

Domain

Politics

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
Frequency
Common
Level
C1 · AdvancedOxford
Updated

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