cube

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈkyüb 

1

a

: the regular solid of six equal square sides see Volume Formulas Table

b

: something shaped like a cube

an ice cube

c

: cubicle sense 2

an office cube

2

: the product of a number multiplied by itself twice

cube

2 of 4

adjective

: raised to the third power

cube

3 of 4

verb

cubed; cubing

transitive verb

1

: to raise to the third power

2

: to form into a cube

3

: to cut partly through (a steak) in a checkered pattern to increase tenderness by breaking the fibers

cuber noun

cube

4 of 4

noun (2)

cu·​be ˈkyü-ˌbā  kyü-ˈbā 

variants or cubé

: either of two tropical American plants (Deguelia utilis synonym Lonchocarpus utilis or L. urucu) furnishing rotenone

Synonyms of cube

Noun (1)

• chamber
• cell
• cabin
• bay
• compartment

Examples of cube in a Sentence

Noun (1)

even though they worked in adjoining cubes, the two coworkers rarely acknowledged one another's existence

Verb

Cube the carrots and potatoes.

three slices of bread, cubed

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Starting at just $9, the lineup includes everything from the popular Amazon Kindle for book lovers and in-flight cozy must-haves to handy Apple AirTags, portable chargers, and packing cubes that keep you organized on the go. —Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026

This hanging cube organizer is a convenient place to store bulkier items such as sweaters, shoes, and handbags. —Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

Adjective

While cube storage has come a long way, with many different grids and arrangements of the cubes available, the truly genius way to take these shelving units from good to incredible is to make use of organizers that fit into each cube. —Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 July 2024

Then there’s the buttery dough reimagined into cube shapes, instead of crescents, with creamy centers. —Ann Trieger Kurland, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Apr. 2023

Verb

Moisture content and how the cheese is prepared, whether grated, shredded, or cubed, can significantly affect cup measurements. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025

Add cubed, cold butter and pulse until crumbly. —Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Latin cubus, from Greek kybos die, cube

Noun (2)

American Spanish cubé

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1570, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1924, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cube

• bouillon cube
• cube farm
• cube root
• cube steak
• stock cube
• sugar cube

Rhymes for cube

• boob
• lube
• rube
• tube
• hypercube
• nanotube
• phototube

Kids Definition

cube

1 of 2 noun

ˈkyüb 

1

: the solid body having six equal square sides

2

: the result of raising a number to the third power

the cube of 2 is 8

cube

2 of 2 verb

cubed; cubing

1

: to raise to the third power

2

: to form into a cube

3

: to cut a checkered pattern into

cube a steak