Cage — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈkāj/

Meaning & Definition of Cage

Cage (noun)

  1. a box or enclosure having some openwork for confining or carrying animals (such as birds)
  2. a barred cell for confining prisoners
  3. a fenced area for prisoners of war

Cage (verb)

  1. to confine or keep in or as if in a cage
  2. to drive (a puck, a shot, etc.) into a cage and score a goal

Cage (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an enclosure with an open framework for keeping animals

    "the dogs and cats at the animal shelter looked so sad in their cages"

    similar: coop, corral, hutch, pen, pound
    related: kennel, run, kraal, stockade, cote, dovecote, henhouse, fold, sheepfold, pigpen, aquarium, terrarium, live-box, fence

Cage (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to close or shut in by or as if by barriers

    "caged the rabbit at night so she wouldn't wake everyone up"

    similar: box (in), closet, coop (up), corral, encage, encase, enclose, envelop, fence (in), hedge, hem (in), house, immure, include, mew (up), pen, wall (in)
    related: bound, circumscribe, confine, contain, limit, restrict, encircle, encompass, enfold, enframe, enlace, frame, ring, surround, armor, cocoon, encapsulate, encapsule, encyst, ensheathe, ensphere, enwomb

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Cage

The most common words with a similar meaning to Cage:

coop, corral, hutch, pen, pound, box (in), closet, coop (up), encage, encase, enclose, envelop, fence (in), hedge, hem (in), house, immure, include, mew (up), wall (in)

Related Words for Cage

kennel, run, kraal, stockade, cote, dovecote, henhouse, fold, sheepfold, pigpen, aquarium, terrarium, live-box, fence, bound, circumscribe, confine, contain, limit, restrict, encircle, encompass, enfold, enframe, enlace, frame, ring, surround, armor, cocoon

Word Forms of Cage

Inflections: caged, caging

Derived words: cageful (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Cage

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin cavea "enclosure for poultry, cage, auditorium of a theater," of uncertain origin

First known use: 13th century

Words & Phrases Containing Cage

cage match, batting cage, rib cage, roll cage, squirrel cage, steel cage match, rattle someone's cage

Frequently Asked Questions about Cage

What does "Cage" mean?

"Cage" means a box or enclosure having some openwork for confining or carrying animals (such as birds). As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a box or enclosure having some openwork for confining or carrying animals (such as birds). It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Cage"?

Other words for "Cage" include coop, corral, hutch, pen, pound, box (in), closet and coop (up). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Cage" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Cage"?

There are 56 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Cage". Common alternatives include coop, corral, hutch, pen, pound, box (in), closet, coop (up), encage and encase.

How do you use "Cage" in a sentence?

Examples of "Cage" in a sentence: "the dogs and cats at the animal shelter looked so sad in their cages"; "caged the rabbit at night so she wouldn't wake everyone up".

Is "Cage" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Cage" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Cage"?

"Cage" is pronounced /ˈkāj/.

What is the origin of the word "Cage"?

"Cage" comes from Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin cavea "enclosure for poultry, cage, auditorium of a theater," of uncertain origin. First known use: 13th century.

What is another word for "Cage" meaning "an enclosure with an open framework for keeping animals"?

When "Cage" (noun) means an enclosure with an open framework for keeping animals, synonyms include coop, corral, hutch, pen and pound.