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
Pat Smith
denned; denning
: to live in or retire to a den
polar bears den in ice caves or snowdrifts
: to drive into a den
Denmark
Examples of den in a Sentence
Noun
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 on the Web
Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
The basement includes a den, another queen-size bedroom and a full bathroom.
—Angela Serratore, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
Parks and Wildlife officials have identified four potential wolf dens this spring but have not yet confirmed how many wolf pups have been born.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for den
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Noun
The next homeowner will enjoy a center island kitchen that opens to the great room, an adjoining large den and vaulted, open beam ceilings as well as big picture windows, according to Zillow.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
The basement includes a den, another queen-size bedroom and a full bathroom.
—Angela Serratore, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Verb
When wolves are denning, they’re anchored to one spot — the den — upping the chances of finding them.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
Parks and Wildlife officials have identified four potential wolf dens this spring but have not yet confirmed how many wolf pups have been born.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for den
Cite this Entry
“Den.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/den. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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