rabbit

1 of 2

noun

rab·​bit ˈra-bət 

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

: welsh rabbit

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

ˈra-bə-tē 

adjective

rabbit

2 of 2

verb

rabbited; rabbiting; rabbits

intransitive verb

: to hunt rabbits

rabbiter noun

Examples of rabbit in a Sentence

Noun

We keep rabbits as pets.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The smallest rabbit, the pygmy, weighs only a pound — while the Flemish giant rabbit can reach 4 feet long and 22 pounds. —Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024

The preschool's post added that the children would be informed of the rabbits' death but would be spared any details. —Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 3 Nov. 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

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

Phrases Containing rabbit

• Angora rabbit
• rabbit brush
• rabbit bush
• rabbit-eared bandicoot
• rabbit ears
• rabbit fever
• rabbit hole
• rabbit on
• rabbit punch
• rabbit warren
• rock rabbit
• Welsh rabbit

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