cabinet

cab-i-net · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A piece of furniture with doors and shelves, used for storage or display.

  2. 2.

    (Often capitalized) A body of high-ranking government officials, typically consisting of the heads of executive departments.

  3. 3.

    A small private room, especially for viewing artwork.

Forms

plural: cabinets

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    cabinet meeting — A formal meeting of government ministers.
  • •
    shadow cabinet — The senior members of an opposition party.
  • •
    cabinet reshuffle — Changes in the composition of a cabinet.
  • •
    filing cabinet — A piece of office furniture for storing documents.
  • •
    medicine cabinet — A bathroom cupboard for toiletries and medicines.

Related words

See also: cupboard, furniture, government, minister
Synonyms: closet, cupboard, ministry

Etymology

From French cabinet ("small room"), diminutive of Old Norman French cabine ("gambling house"), of uncertain origin. The political sense developed because ministers originally met in a private cabinet or small room.