kit

¹ American  

[kit] / kɪt /

noun

1. a set or collection of tools, supplies, instructional matter, etc., for a specific purpose.

   a first-aid kit; a sales kit.

2. the case for containing these.

3. such a case and its contents.

4. a set of materials or parts from which something can be assembled.

   a model car made from a kit.

5. Informal. a set, lot, or collection of things or persons.

6. a wooden tub, pail, etc., usually circular.

7. Chiefly British. a costume or outfit of clothing, especially for a specific purpose.

   ski kit; dancing kit; battle kit.

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verb (used with object)

kitted, kitting

1. to package or make available in a kit.

   a new model airplane that has just been kitted for the hobbyist.

2. Chiefly British. to outfit or equip (often followed by out orup ).

idioms

1. kit and caboodle / boodle, the whole lot of persons or things; all of something (often preceded bywhole ).

   We took along the whole kit and caboodle in the station wagon.

kit ² American  

[kit] / kɪt /

noun

1. a violin or rebec small enough to be carried in the pocket, used by dancing masters in the 17th and 18th centuries.

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kit ³ American  

[kit] / kɪt /

noun

1. kitten.

2. a young fox, beaver, or other small furbearing animal.

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Kit ⁴ American  

[kit] / kɪt /

noun

1. a male given name, form of Christopher.

2. a female given name, form of Catherine or Katherine.

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kit ¹ British  

/ kɪt /

noun

1. a set of tools, supplies, construction materials, etc, for use together or for a purpose

   a first-aid kit

   a model aircraft kit

2. the case or container for such a set

3. 1. a set of pieces of equipment ready to be assembled

   2. ( as modifier )

      kit furniture

4. 1. clothing and other personal effects, esp those of a traveller or soldier

      safari kit

      battle kit

   2. informal clothing in general (esp in the phrase get one's kit off )

5. a flax basket

6. informal everything or everybody

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kit ² British  

/ kɪt /

noun

1. an informal or diminutive name for kitten

2. a cub of various small mammals, such as the ferret or fox

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KIT ³ British  

abbreviation

1. keep in touch

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kit ⁴ British  

/ kɪt /

noun

1. a kind of small violin, now obsolete, used esp by dancing masters in the 17th–18th centuries

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kit ⁵ British  

/ kɪt /

noun

1. a plaited flax basket

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Etymology

Origin of kit¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English kit(te), kyt(t) “wooden bucket or tub,” from Middle Dutch kitte “jug, tankard”

Origin of kit²

First recorded in 1510–20; origin uncertain

Origin of kit³

First recorded in 1555–65; shortening of kitten ( def. )

Explanation

A collection of things used for a certain purpose is a kit, like a first aid kit with bandages and aspirin, or a tool kit with hammers, screwdrivers, and wrenches. There are kits meant for camping, taking care of your cat, and painting landscapes. A group of items needed to build or assemble something is also a kit, like a model airplane kit. The case you keep these things in can also be called a kit. A completely different sort of kit is a baby animal like a fox or beaver kit. A set of drums — bass, tom, snare and cymbals — is commonly called a "drum kit."

Example Sentences

And that’s the discordance of our current crisis with what is in our constitutional tool kit.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

Still, Arcuri said the expected release of Intel’s process-design kit for its upcoming 14A process node, which it will build future chips on, will be “a key foundry catalyst.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

At a military training ground about 12 miles from the Russian border, members of Yasni Ochi strike UAV unit, part of Khartia corps, are spending the weekend testing new kit for the frontline.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

They help us discuss what thoughtful, constructive behavior in the finance industry can look like and how a sharp finance tool kit can be used effectively for social impact.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Mom brings up the first aid kit and a sandwich, and my stomach grumbles at the sight of food.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Related Words

• apparatus
• bag
• container
• gear
• material