rabbit

1 of 2

noun

rab·​bit ˈra-bət How to pronounce rabbit (audio)
plural rabbit or rabbits
often attributive
1
: any of a family (Leporidae) of long-eared short-tailed lagomorph mammals with long hind legs:
a
: any of various lagomorphs that are born furless, blind, and helpless, that are sometimes gregarious, and that include especially the cottontails of the New World and a small Old World mammal (Oryctolagus cuniculus) that is the source of various domestic breeds
b
: hare
2
: the pelt of a rabbit
3
4
a
: a figure of a rabbit sped mechanically along the edge of a dog track as an object of pursuit
b
: a runner in a long-distance race who sets a fast pace for the field in the first part of the race
rabbity adjective

rabbit

2 of 2

verb

rabbited; rabbiting; rabbits
rabbiter noun

Examples of rabbit in a Sentence

Noun We keep rabbits as pets.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
These shade perennials are also avoided by deer and rabbits. Halee Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2024 Although the parasite can be deadly to dogs and other mammals like raccoons, horses, and rabbits, it is not known to infect humans. Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 22 Mar. 2024 Studies on rats, rabbits and monkeys showed that these medications, if taken while pregnant, can lead to miscarriage and birth defects. Katie Camero, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024 There is something in suburban rabbits that has evolved toward wickedness, their tails like an implement developed for hospitals, to mop up blood. Diane Seuss, The Atlantic, 20 Mar. 2024 Among the glittering names whose county records are being sought are Hall Wines, known for its bold cabernets and luxe St. Helena winery with a towering statue of a silver rabbit. Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 At $200, the tasting menu included wagyu rib-eye, rabbit and sea bass topped with parsnip and red beets. Ceylan Yeğinsu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2024 Dyeing rabbits or baby chicks is prohibited (so is raffling them off as a prize) In Ohio, rabbits have been granted legal protection. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 1 Mar. 2024 As a result, procurement leaders spend more time chasing rabbits than analyzing data and making smart renewal decisions. Ben Pippenger, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
Verb
Savory pies filled with meat, poultry, cheese, spinach, tomatoes, even rabbit. Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 17 May 2023 Researchers have found changes to rabbit brains that may explain why your pet bunny is so snuggly. Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 27 June 2018 But more than just links to click or rabbit holes to follow, Bagley also got some actual leads on bikes after making her post. The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Aug. 2022 Try anything from pork to rabbit on a spit, or go all out with a steak. Julia Buckley, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2021 From about $110 a night, alpiccoloscoglio.it Eating There Ristorante la Cucina di Nonna Nina, near San Rocco Church, is an unpretentious trattoria dedicated to Ligurian classics such as fish ravioli and rabbit with olives and pine-nuts. Adam H. Graham, WSJ, 28 May 2021 The hood and shoulders are reinforced with durable, water-repelling fabric, which comes in handy for late-season upland or rabbit hunts. Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 18 Nov. 2020 Writing for Citius Mag, former University of Oregon runner Daniel Winn explains how to effectively rabbit a race. oregonlive, 9 Mar. 2020 One study concludes that rising temperatures will drive the volcano rabbits higher into the mountains, perhaps by 2,300 feet over the next century, further shrinking their range. National Geographic, 23 Jan. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rabbit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English rabet, probably from Middle French dialect (Walloon) robett, from obsolete or dialect Dutch robbe, robbeken; probably akin to Middle Low German robbe seal, East Frisian rubben to scratch, rub — more at rub

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rabbit was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near rabbit

Cite this Entry

“Rabbit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rabbit. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rabbit

noun
rab·​bit
ˈrab-ət
plural rabbit or rabbits
: any of various small burrowing mammals with long ears and short tails that differ from the related hares especially in being born with the eyes closed and without fur
also : the pelt of a rabbit
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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