# warren

/ˈwɔɹən/ (US) · /wˈɒɹən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/warren
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. rabbit burrows

noun · CEFR B2

a series of connected underground tunnels where rabbits live and breed.

For teachers: a network of interconnecting rabbit burrows.

- The field was full of holes leading down into a large rabbit warren.
- Ecologists studied the impact of the sprawling warren on the local soil stability, noting how the rabbits had excavated several meters beneath the surface.

### 3. historical hunting ground

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

in the past, a piece of land kept specifically for breeding and hunting small animals like rabbits.

For teachers: a piece of land legally authorised for the breeding and hunting of small game, specifically rabbits.

- The lord of the manor maintained a private warren to ensure a steady supply of meat.
- Medieval records indicate that the king granted the local monastery the right of free warren over the surrounding hillsides.

## Examples

- The rabbits disappeared into their warren under the hill.
- The old office building was a warren of small rooms and narrow corridors that confused every new visitor.
- Navigating the medieval quarter felt like exploring a subterranean warren, with its winding alleys and unexpected dead ends that defied any logical urban planning.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.