kennel

1 of 3

noun (1)

ken·​nel ˈke-nᵊl 

1

a

: a shelter for a dog or cat

b

: an establishment for the breeding or boarding of dogs or cats

2

: a pack of dogs

kennel

2 of 3

verb

kenneled or kennelled; kenneling or kennelling

transitive verb

: to put or keep in or as if in a kennel

intransitive verb

: to take shelter in or as if in a kennel

kennel

3 of 3

noun (2)

: a gutter in a street

Examples of kennel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Struggling with overburdened kennels, the group was in desperate need of help to assist a female dog found dumped on the side of the road. —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026

The farm buildings on the property—long verandas, shearing sheds, and concrete kennels—are old and decayed, remnants from long before the group showed up. —Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026

Verb

Crates can be especially useful, as some shelters may have specific rules in place about having pets kenneled at certain hours. —Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 15 Mar. 2026

The growth of pet insurance coincides with a steep run-up in the costs of pet services — from grooming and kenneling to veterinary visits — relative to goods like food, leashes and toys. —Evie Steele, NBC news, 9 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English kenel, from Anglo-French *kenil, from Vulgar Latin *canile, from Latin canis dog — more at hound

Noun (2)

alteration of cannel gutter

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1552, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for kennel

• chenille
• fennel
• henle
• antennal
• departmental

Kids Definition

kennel

1 of 2 noun

ken·​nel ˈken-ᵊl 

1

: a shelter for a dog

2

: a place where dogs or cats are bred or housed

kennel

2 of 2 verb

kenneled or kennelled; kenneling or kennelling

: to put or keep in a kennel