rabbit

1 of 2

noun

rab·​bit ˈra-bət 

plural rabbit or rabbits

often attributive

1

: any of a family (Leporidae) of long-eared short-tailed lagomorph mammals with long hind legs:

a

: any of various lagomorphs that are born furless, blind, and helpless, that are sometimes gregarious, and that include especially the cottontails of the New World and a small Old World mammal (Oryctolagus cuniculus) that is the source of various domestic breeds

b

: hare

2

: the pelt of a rabbit

3

: welsh rabbit

4

a

: a figure of a rabbit sped mechanically along the edge of a dog track as an object of pursuit

b

: a runner in a long-distance race who sets a fast pace for the field in the first part of the race

rabbity

ˈra-bə-tē 

adjective

rabbit

2 of 2

verb

rabbited; rabbiting; rabbits

intransitive verb

: to hunt rabbits

rabbiter noun

Examples of rabbit in a Sentence

Noun

We keep rabbits as pets.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Just like the rabbit in Alice's life, the rabbit coming into the lives of these parents symbolizes a moment in time where their lives changed, sometimes dramatically—a moment that was outside of their control, forcing them to adjust or adapt. —Sherri Gordon, Parents, 21 Nov. 2025

Yarrow is a tough plant that tolerates drought, heat, and humidity, and resists browsing by deer and rabbits. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 18 Nov. 2025

Verb

The ingredients varied by region, from elk to rabbit to eel, and from chokecherries to saskatoons to currants—but the finished product packed far more calories than meat alone. —Diana Spechler, Saveur, 6 Nov. 2025

After launching with dinner service — handmade pastas, signature lasagna and rabbit agrodolce dishes, pizzas baked in an 800-degree Neapolitan oven — Rollati added weekday lunch and happy hour bites plus an Italian-style weekend brunch. —Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English rabet, probably from Middle French dialect (Walloon) robett, from obsolete or dialect Dutch robbe, robbeken; probably akin to Middle Low German robbe seal, East Frisian rubben to scratch, rub — more at rub

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1846, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rabbit

• Angora rabbit
• rabbit brush
• rabbit bush
• rabbit-eared bandicoot
• rabbit ears
• rabbit fever
• rabbit hole
• rabbit on
• rabbit punch
• rabbit warren
• rock rabbit
• Welsh rabbit

Rhymes for rabbit

• abbot
• habit
• sabot
• shabbat
• cohabit
• inhabit
• jackrabbit

Kids Definition

rabbit

noun

rab·​bit

ˈrab-ət

plural rabbit or rabbits

: any of various small burrowing mammals with long ears and short tails that differ from the related hares especially in being born with the eyes closed and without fur

also : the pelt of a rabbit