kraal

1 of 2

noun

ˈkrȯl  ˈkräl 

1

a

: an African and especially a southern African village in which a group of dwellings surrounds a livestock enclosure

b

: the community that inhabits a kraal

2

: an enclosure for animals especially in southern Africa

kraal

2 of 2

verb

kraaled; kraaling; kraals

transitive verb

: to pen in a kraal

Examples of kraal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In fact, by 1978, black children could be shot on sight for leaving their family's kraal, or homestead. —Alexandra Fuller, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2020

Inspired by a traditional kraal (village) and surrounded by four savannahs, the lodge is home to 30 wildlife species — zebras, giraffes, flamingos, and gazelles — some of which can be spotted wandering past room windows. —Alisha Prakash, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2020

Next to each tent was a protective kraal of thorn brush for the animals at night. —Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Dec. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Afrikaans, from Portuguese curral pen for cattle, enclosure, from Vulgar Latin *currale enclosure for vehicles — more at corral

First Known Use

Noun

1731, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1827, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

kraal

noun

ˈkrȯl,

ˈkräl

1

: a village of southern African natives

2

: an enclosure for tame animals especially in southern Africa