menagerie

[ muh-naj-uh-ree, -nazh- ]

noun

1. a collection of wild or unusual animals, especially for exhibition.
2. a place where they are kept or exhibited.
3. an unusual and varied group of people.

menagerie

/ mɪˈnædʒərɪ /

noun

1. a collection of wild animals kept for exhibition
2. the place where such animals are housed

Word History and Origins

Origin of menagerie¹

1705–15; < French: literally, housekeeping. See ménage, -ery

Word History and Origins

Origin of menagerie¹

C18: from French: household management, which formerly included care of domestic animals. See ménage

Example Sentences

Hannah Twynnoy was living in Malmesbury in the 18th Century when the animal, thought to have been part of a travelling menagerie housed in a pub yard, escaped and attacked her.

From BBC

He listed his home and his menagerie for sale last year, so he could join his partner in New Zealand.

From BBC

Rori, also three, had been kept as part of a private menagerie which was disbanded after the Russian invasion, and may have been used for illegal breeding.

From BBC

As a longtime competitive runner, I’ve assembled my own menagerie of talismanic objects and superstitious routines over the years, all of which I felt were directly correlated with my success and speed.

From Salon

Now a musician who sometimes plays alongside the singer Geia, Bialkowski recalled staring up at the menagerie of instruments on the wall and feeling elated when she made her choice: a black, electric Fender.

From Los Angeles Times