cabin

American  

[kab-in] / ˈkæb ɪn /

noun

1. a small house or cottage, usually of simple design and construction.

   He was born in a cabin built of rough logs.

   Synonyms:

   cottage, shack, shanty, cot

2. an enclosed space for more or less temporary occupancy, as the living quarters in a trailer or the passenger space in a cable car.

3. the enclosed space for the pilot, cargo, or especially passengers in an air or space vehicle.

4. an apartment or room in a ship, as for passengers.

5. cabin class.

6. (in a naval vessel) living accommodations for officers.

   Synonyms:

   compartment

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adverb

1. in cabin-class accommodations or by cabin-class conveyance.

   to travel cabin.

verb (used without object)

1. to live in a cabin.

   They cabin in the woods on holidays.

verb (used with object)

1. to confine; enclose tightly; cramp.

cabin British  

/ ˈkæbɪn /

noun

1. a small simple dwelling; hut

2. a simple house providing accommodation for travellers or holiday-makers at a motel or holiday camp

3. a room used as an office or living quarters in a ship

4. a covered compartment used for shelter or living quarters in a small boat

5. (in a warship) the compartment or room reserved for the commanding officer

6. another name for signal box

7. 1. the enclosed part of a light aircraft in which the pilot and passengers sit

   2. the part of an airliner in which the passengers are carried

   3. the section of an aircraft used for cargo

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verb

1. to confine in a small space

Other Word Forms

• uncabined adjective

Etymology

Origin of cabin

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English cabane, from Middle French, from Old Provençal cabana, from Late Latin capanna, of uncertain, perhaps pre-Latin origin; spelling with “i” perhaps by influence of French cabine ( cabinet )

Example Sentences

In 1845, age 27, he built himself a 10-by-15-foot cabin by the pond, on land owned by Emerson, where he would live for two years, two months and two days.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

They believe carbon monoxide fumes were leaking into the cabin of the plane during Sala's flight, and the lack of an audible alarm meant Ibbotson was unable to take action to disperse the deadly gas.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

Passengers flying out of Atlanta March 23 and 24 were allowed to rebook travel for any date through March 30 at no extra cost, provided they book a seat in the same cabin.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

A second attempt begins at 11:17 p.m., but the crew aborts and declares an emergency when flight attendants report feeling sick due to an unexplained smell permeating the cabin.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Owen was bummed but glad to have the whole weekend to spend at George’s family’s ice fishing cabin instead.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

Related Words

• box
• camp
• chalet
• compartment
• cottage
• home
• hut
• lodge
• room
• shack
• shanty
• shed
• shelter