den

noun \ ˈden \

|Updated on: 18 Aug 2018

Examples: den in a Sentence

Definition of den

1 : the lair of a wild usually predatory animal

2 a (1) : a hollow or cavern used especially as a hideout

(2) : a center of secret activity

b : a small usually squalid dwelling

3 : a comfortable usually secluded room

4 : a subdivision of a Cub Scout pack made up of two or more boys

5 British : a small structure built by children as a place to play, hide, or provide shelter

We roamed the fields and made dens in the hedges, dragging old logs and brushwood with scraps of canvas and rope to make shelters to hide in.
—Pat Smith

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Examples of den in a Sentence

The bears will spend most of the winter in their den.
The TV is in the den.
He spent most evenings in the den reading and smoking his pipe.

Recent Examples of den from the Web

Scientists noticed in the last few months, Mei Xiang was spending more time inside her den and was sleeping more, coming out only to eat her bamboo breakfast.

— rebecca bratek, CBS News, "National Zoo's giant panda experiencing "pseudopregnancy," zoo says," 5 July 2018
To take this video, the scientists had to move quickly — before the kittens’ mother, P-62, returned to her den in the Simi Hills.

— latimes.com, "Today: Will It Take an Act of Congress?," 20 June 2018
During periods of cold weather, rabbits use natural cavities and other animals’ burrows for their dens.

— tim johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Rabbits feasting on your garden? Wire fencing is your friend," 15 June 2018
The gorilla was tranquilized by veterinarians and returned to his den.

— kate samuelson, Time, "Lions, Tigers and a Jaguar Escaped From a Zoo and Are on the Loose in Germany," 1 June 2018
The second cyclist ran, and the animal dropped the first victim and pounced on him, killing him and dragging him back to what appeared to be its den, King County sheriff’s Sgt.

— gene johnson, BostonGlobe.com, "Cyclists tried to scare cougar but it attacked, killing 1," 20 May 2018
These kits are just beginning to venture out of their den, under the watchful eye of the adults.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "For the Fourth, bring out the (San Diego Zoo) babies!," 3 July 2018
But the cub isn't out of the woods yet – her 7-year-old mother quickly began exhibiting neglectful behavior, according to the news release, including leaving her unattended toward the outside of her den.

— kellen browning, sacbee, "Newborn red panda cub at Sacramento Zoo fighting to survive," 28 June 2018
USA TODAY Sports Marv Levy has a display case in his den.

— erik brady, USA TODAY, "How old is former NFL coach Marv Levy? His dad was wounded in World War I," 27 June 2018

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