cubicle

noun cu·bi·cle \ ˈkyü-bi-kəl \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Examples: cubicle in a Sentence

Definition of cubicle

1 : a sleeping compartment partitioned off from a large room

2 a : a small partitioned space; especially : one with a desk used for work in a business office

b : carrel

See cubicle defined for English-language learners

See cubicle defined for kids

Examples of cubicle in a Sentence

data entry clerks busily typing in cubicles

Recent Examples of cubicle from the Web

At the University of Kentucky, a dozen students at time took finals inside cubicles in a room in the testing facility with carpeted floors and dim lights.

— douglas belkin, WSJ, "Colleges Bend the Rules for More Students, Give Them Extra Help," 24 May 2018
In lieu of cubicles, the design team took a more open approach.

— mary jo bowling, Curbed, "Old San Francisco horse stable gets mod office makeover," 2 Apr. 2018
Ben: Our identity is not our job. I could get fired tomorrow and be back at a cubicle doing sales.

— jay betsill, star-telegram, "Mark Cuban, Mount Everest and lots of radio: The journey of Ben and Skin | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 17 May 2018
On Friday, Schoenecker wore the LOVE shirt to school, refused to cover it at a teacher's direction and was sent to Koopman's office, who sent Schoenecker to the cubicle.

— bruce vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin high schooler sues principal who banned T-shirts depicting guns," 11 Apr. 2018
The workers will be erecting a physical barrier to separate the cubicles of aides who serve Republican members of the committee from those who serve Democrats.

— sharon lafraniere and nicholas fandos, New York Times, "How Partisan Has House Intelligence Panel Become? It’s Building a Wall," 8 Feb. 2018
Instead, this is a film set almost entirely amidst the cubicles of a modern-day newsroom, with the occasional courthouse document library.

— alexander nazaryan, Newsweek, "Review: 'Spotlight' Explores the Sins of the Fathers," 8 Oct. 2015
By the time Shimkus arrived, empty desks and cubicles sat abandoned where hundreds of people had worked on those preparations, which included submitting an application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

— jeremy dillon, The Seattle Times, "Yucca Mountain crusader wins House vote on nuclear-waste site," 12 May 2018
Alternative work spaces where living-room decor and Kombucha taps stand in for cubicles and drip coffee-makers are the new normal for San Diego’s young professionals, according to a new report on the region’s co-working market.

— jennifer van grove, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Splashy co-working spaces are here to stay in San Diego," 9 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cubicle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cubicle

Latin cubiculum, from cubare to lie, recline

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

cubicle Synonyms

Synonyms

bay, cabin, cell, chamber, compartment, cube;

Related Words

cubbyhole, pigeonhole;

alcove, niche, nook, recess;

cabinet, drawer, locker;

cavity, hole, hollow;

booth, box, crib, loge, stall;

bunker, crypt, vault;

CUBICLE Defined for English Language Learners

cubicle

noun

Definition of cubicle for English Language Learners

: a work space in a large office with a desk that is usually surrounded by low walls
: a small space in a public room (such as a bathroom) that has walls for privacy