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

This week, available kennel space at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control’s facilities hit a record low. —Lila Hempel-Edgers, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2025

Pictures of Usopp the dog who is struggling with kennel stress. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025

Verb

Faye will also cover up to $2,500 in emergency veterinary expenses or up to $250 in additional kenneling costs. —Liz Knueven, CNBC, 27 June 2025

He was also ordered to pay £3,680 ($4,600) for kenneling, fines and compensation. —David Matthews, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 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