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

Elsewhere on the menu expect things like tongue, rabbit, chorizo, and tripe—dishes that tend to be gluten-free. — Luke Pyenson, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026

MetLife also covers grief counseling and cremation benefits, trims your deductible for each claim-free year and, in some states, insures exotic pets such as birds, reptiles and rabbits. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Deer, rabbits, and other creatures will make short work of them. — Sydney Price, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Oct. 2026

Betty and Grace Cochrane flank magician Harry Houdini, holding two white rabbits, circa 1926. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026

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