Hutch

/hʌtʃ/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A hutch is a type of furniture or structure used for housing small animals, typically rabbits, or for storing items, often featuring a top and bottom compartment.
The children built a small hutch in the backyard for their new pet rabbits.
A hutch can also refer to a wooden or metal enclosure for small livestock.
The farmer kept his chickens in a large hutch to protect them from predators.
In some contexts, 'hutch' is used to describe a large cupboard or piece of furniture used for storing dishes or other household items.
She displayed her fine china in the antique hutch that had been passed down through generations.

Etymology

Middle English 'hutche', of uncertain origin; possibly from Old French 'huche'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

rabbit hutch
A small shelter or cage for housing rabbits.
hutch cupboard
A piece of furniture with a space for storage and display, often with shelves.

Related Words

cage
A structure to confine animals, typically made of wire or bars.
kennel
A shelter for dogs or other animals.

Slang Meanings

A term used to denote a small, cramped space.
Living in that hutch of an apartment feels suffocating.