First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1cage
noun \ˈkāj\
: a box made of wire or metal bars in which people keep animals or birds
Full Definition of CAGE
1
: a box or enclosure having some openwork for confining or carrying animals (as birds)
2
a : a barred cell for confining prisoners b : a fenced area for prisoners of war
3
: a framework serving as support <the steel cage of a skyscraper>
4
a : an enclosure resembling a cage in form or purpose <a cashier's cage> b : an arrangement of atoms or molecules so bonded as to enclose a space in which another atom or ion (as of a metal) can reside
5
a : batting cage b : a goal consisting of posts or a frame with a net attached (as in ice hockey)
6
: a large building containing an area for practicing outdoor sports and often adapted for indoor events
— cage·ful \-ˌfu̇l\ noun
See cage defined for English-language learners
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Origin of CAGE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin cavea cavity, cage, from cavus hollow — more at cave
2cage
verb
cagedcag·ing
Definition of CAGE
transitive verb
1
: to confine or keep in or as if in a cage
2
: to drive (as a puck) into a cage and score a goal
First Known Use of CAGE
1556
Cage
biographical name \ˈkāj\
Definition of CAGE
John Milton 1912–1992 Am. composer
CAGEFUL Defined for Kids
1cage
noun \ˈkāj\
Definition of CAGE for Kids
1
: a box or enclosure that has large openings covered usually with wire net or bars and is used for keeping birds or animals <a hamster cage>
2
: an enclosure like a cage in shape or purpose <a bank teller's cage>
2cage
verb
cagedcag·ing
Definition of CAGE for Kids
: to put or keep in or as if in a cage <She caged the birds together.>
Medical Dictionary
cage
noun \ˈkāj\
Medical Definition of CAGE
: an arrangement of atoms or molecules so bonded as to enclose a space in which another atom or ion (as of a metal) can reside
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