den

¹ American  

[den] / dɛn /

noun

1. the lair or shelter of a wild animal, especially a predatory mammal.

2. a room, often secluded, in a house or apartment, designed to provide a quiet, comfortable, and informal atmosphere for conversation, reading, writing, etc.

3. a cave used as a place of shelter or concealment.

4. a squalid or vile abode or place.

   dens of misery.

5. one of the units of a cub scout pack, analogous to a patrol in the Boy Scouts.

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verb (used with object)

denned, denning

1. to drive or pursue (an animal) into its den.

2. to kill (an animal) inside its den.

verb (used without object)

denned, denning

1. to live in or as if in a den.

Den. ² American  

abbreviation

1. Denmark.

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den ¹ British  

/ dɛn /

noun

1. the habitat or retreat of a lion or similar wild animal; lair

2. a small or secluded room in a home, often used for carrying on a hobby

3. a squalid or wretched room or retreat

4. a site or haunt

   a den of vice

5. a small wooded valley; dingle

6. dialect a place of sanctuary in certain catching games; home or base

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verb

1. (intr) to live in or as if in a den

Den. ² British  

abbreviation

1. Denmark

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Etymology

Origin of den

before 1000; Middle English; Old English denn; compare early Dutch denne floor, cave, den, German Tenne floor

Explanation

Where’s the one place that bears go to hibernate and you go to watch the big game? It’s the den, a secluded room or shelter. Den is an Old English word meaning “shelter for a wild animal.” While we still use it in this sense, the word has taken on some additional meanings. For example, den can refer to a room that's used primarily for relaxing, watching television, and socializing with friends. (If your friends tend to act wild at times, then perhaps this definition isn’t so far off from the original one.) Den can also mean "a hideout for criminals."

Example Sentences

It is thought the fox chose to create a den on one of the the islands there because it gives her cubs greater security.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

"Surface freshwater, Stegodon and Homo floresiensis all decline at the same time, showing the compounding effects of ecological stress," UOW Honorary Fellow Dr. Gert van den Berg said.

From Science Daily • Feb. 19, 2026

Like the den, the walls of the guest house are painted a warm green hue for a relaxing feel.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

The group has struggled to reposition itself strategically, and Van den Brink’s surprise announcement last month that he would leave has added fresh uncertainty to the company’s direction ahead.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

“I wouldn’t use the word nonsense” Mom calls over the electric motor of the treadmill in the den.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

Related Words

• cave
• hotbed
• nest
• sanctuary