ENGLISH
REFERENCE

kennel

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈkɛnəɫ// UK //kˈɛnəl// ken·nel Archaic

n. a small house for a dog to sleep in. It can also mean a place where people pay to leave their dogs while they are on vacation.

n. a small shelter for a dog, typically located outdoors; also refers to a commercial establishment where dogs are boarded or bred.


SIMPLE

The dog sleeps in a wooden kennel in the garden.

CONTEXTUAL

We left our golden retriever at a local kennel while we went away for the weekend.

COMPLEX

The breeder maintained a highly professional kennel, ensuring that every puppy received proper socialization and veterinary care before being placed with a new family.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

PIE word *ḱwṓ From Middle English kenel, kenell, borrowed from Anglo-Norman kenil, northern variant of Old French chenil, from Vulgar Latin canīle, from Latin canis.

Etymology 2

From Middle English canel, from Old French canel, from Latin canālis (“channel; canal”), from Latin canna (“reed, cane”), from Ancient Greek κάννα (kánna, “reed”), from Akkadian 𒄀 (qanû, “reed”), from Sumerian 𒄀𒈾 (gi.na). Cognate with English channel, canal.

Usage

Often used in the plural ('the kennels') when referring to a commercial boarding business.

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