kennel
B2Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A small shelter for a dog.
A boarding or breeding establishment for dogs; the act of confining or boarding a dog in such a place.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to a dog's dwelling. As a verb, the action is associated with confinement or boarding in a professional facility. In plural ('the kennels'), it often refers to a commercial boarding business.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. In British English, 'kennels' (plural) as a business name is slightly more common ('Happy Paws Kennels').
Connotations
Similar in both: can imply temporary boarding, professional care, or a simple outdoor dog house.
Frequency
Comparable frequency, though terms like 'doghouse' (more common in AmE for a simple backyard shelter) and 'boarding facility' are also used.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to kennel [DOG]to be kennelled (BrE) / kenneled (AmE) [at/with PLACE]to keep [DOG] in a kennelVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[no major idioms]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a commercial dog boarding or breeding business ('They run a successful kennel').
Academic
Rare; may appear in veterinary or animal husbandry contexts.
Everyday
Common when discussing pet care, holidays, or dog ownership ('We need to book the kennel for the summer').
Technical
Used in dog breeding, showing (e.g., 'kennel name'), and veterinary medicine ('kennel cough').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We'll have to kennel the puppy while we're on holiday.
- The dogs are kennelled at a reputable establishment in Surrey.
American English
- We need to kennel our dog during the home renovation.
- The show dogs were kenneled overnight at the event venue.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form in use]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form in use]
adjective
British English
- The kennel fees were quite reasonable.
- He works as a kennel assistant at the local vet.
American English
- We bought a new kennel cover for the winter.
- She has extensive kennel management experience.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My dog sleeps in a small kennel.
- The kennel is in the garden.
- We left our dog at a boarding kennel for the weekend.
- He built a wooden kennel for his new puppy.
- Before choosing a kennel, it's wise to read online reviews and visit in person.
- The champion greyhound was returned to its breeder's kennel after retiring.
- The historic kennel club sets the breed standards and oversees many prestigious dog shows.
- Outbreaks of kennel cough, a highly contagious respiratory infection, can swiftly affect entire boarding facilities.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: KENnel – a place you CAN (ken) put your dog so you can go on holiday.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER FOR ANIMALS (A specialised, small-scale 'house' or 'hotel' for a specific creature).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'конура' (kennel/doghouse) which is simpler; 'kennel' as a business is closer to 'питомник' or 'гостиница для собак'. The verb 'to kennel' has no direct single-word equivalent; use 'помещать в питомник'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'kennel' for a cat's home (use 'cattery').
- Misspelling as 'kenel'.
- Using the verb without an object ('We will kennel' is incomplete; 'We will kennel the dog' is correct).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most likely meaning of 'the kennels' in this sentence: 'We collected Buster from the kennels on our way home from the airport.'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Often, but not exactly. A 'doghouse' typically refers to a simple, single shelter in a garden. A 'kennel' can mean that, but also refers to a larger enclosure or, in the plural ('kennels'), a commercial boarding facility.
Rarely. Its primary association is with dogs. For foxes, the term 'earth' is used; for rabbits, 'hutch'. The word is dog-specific in modern English.
Both 'kennelled' (double 'l', more common in British English) and 'kenneled' (single 'l', more common in American English) are acceptable, following regional spelling conventions for verbs ending in 'l'.
It is the common name for canine infectious tracheobronchitis, a highly contagious respiratory disease among dogs, often spread in places where dogs congregate like boarding kennels, dog shows, or parks.
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