cage

noun \ ˈkāj \

Updated on: 6 Dec 2017

Definition of cage

1 : a box or enclosure having some openwork for confining or carrying animals (such 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

—

cageful

play \-ˌfu̇l\ noun

See cage defined for English-language learners

See cage defined for kids

Examples of cage in a Sentence

the dogs and cats at the animal shelter looked so sad in their cages

Recent Examples of cage from the Web

In a batting cage at the team complex in Surprise, Ariz., Royals prospect Nicky Lopez picked up a slightly bigger bat than he was used to and set himself up in the batter’s box.

— maria torres, kansascity, "Drafted for defensive depth, Royals prospect showing more pop in fall league," 3 Nov. 2017
Indeed, the company is one of the few in the industry that lacks policies to get pigs and chickens out of cramped cages, instead allowing the cruel confinement in perpetuity.

— matthew prescott, Fortune, "Many Companies Are Treating Their Chickens Better. Why Isn’t Tyson?," 20 Oct. 2017
He was beaten with copper cables, and held in isolation in a metal cage less than 7-feet square.

— richard a. oppel jr., miamiherald, "Bergdahl avoids prison for desertion | Miami Herald," 3 Nov. 2017
During the Blair-Brown-Cameron years, political debate was imprisoned in the gilded cage of economic and social liberalism.

— The Economist, "The Conservative Party is debating the merits of capitalism," 12 Oct. 2017
Twelve cages are mounted inside the truck, which will travel to area businesses, schools and other locations.

— sue ellen ross, Post-Tribune, "Humane Society unveils Mobile Adoption Unit, new logo," 4 Oct. 2017
Maybe if Belichick took the field goal and an early 10-0 lead instead of going for it on fourth down, the Patriots could have rattled the Chiefs' cage more.

— jeff jacobs, courant.com, "Jeff Jacobs: Patriots Season-Opening Stinker Gives Brady, Belichick Night To Forget," 8 Sep. 2017
The scientists waited two weeks before setting a number of the animals back into that cage.

— gretchen reynolds, New York Times, "Moving When Young May Strengthen the Adult Brain," 30 Aug. 2017
Cal-Maine said higher supplies have pressured prices for both commodity eggs and the premium varieties, such as cage-free, that Cal-Maine has prioritized in recent years.

— jacob bunge, WSJ, "Cheap Eggs Flood U.S. Grocery Stores," 28 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cage

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin cavea cavity, cage, from cavus hollow — more at cave

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

cage Synonyms

Synonyms

coop, corral, hutch, pen, pound

Related Words

kennel, run; kraal, stockade; cote, dovecote (also dovecot), henhouse; fold, sheepfold; pigpen; aquarium, terrarium; live-box; fence

cage

verb

Definition of cage

caged; caging

transitive verb

1 : to confine or keep in or as if in a cage

2 : to drive (a puck, a shot, etc.) into a cage and score a goal

Examples of cage in a Sentence

caged the rabbit at night so she wouldn't wake everyone up

Recent Examples of cage from the Web

Meanwhile Bella went the vampy route in a black lambskin coat, black pumps and caged studded gloves.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Gigi and Bella Hadid Coordinated in Chanel Coats and They've Never Looked Chicer," 24 Oct. 2017
Bergdahl, 31, has said he was caged, kept in darkness and beaten.

— Bloomberg.com, "Dramatic Sentencing Hearing Expected in Bergdahl Case," 23 Oct. 2017
That solution is an almond milk that demolishes the standards society has caged it in.

— alex delany, Bon Appetit, "Califia Barista Blend Is the Best, Creamiest Almond Milk," 27 Sep. 2017
And Ultra Boost obsessives who debate whether the shoes look best caged or uncaged—that is, with the plastic midfood lacing system, or without—get something new to argue about, too.

— jake woolf, GQ, "Adidas Ultra Boost Sneakers Are Now Your Favorite All-Weather Kicks," 20 Sep. 2017
Mexico City is home to one of the country’s largest wildlife markets, in the Sonora market, where caged animals of nearly every kind have been sold.

— kristina davis, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Tiger cub part of illicit flow of exotic animals crossing the Mexico border," 4 Sep. 2017
Last year’s exposé of Thailand’s notorious Tiger Temple, where 137 tigers were confiscated by wildlife officials, alerted many that the animals that grace these photos are often caged, drugged and tied down for our viewing and petting pleasure.

— kat eschner, Smithsonian, "The Big Unsexy Problem With Tiger Selfies," 15 Aug. 2017
Throughout his campaign, Trump would cage the mainstream media in a press pen, putting them on display for mockery by him and by his supporters.

— will oremus, Slate Magazine, "How Trump Is Manipulating the Media," 12 Jan. 2017
Sometimes, that equipment fails, and that person is thrust into a tiny, caged space, face to face with a great white shark.

— sarah rense, Esquire, "A Diver's Cage Built Specifically to Keep Sharks Out Could Not Keep This Shark Out," 14 Oct. 2016

First Known Use of cage

1577

cage Synonyms

Synonyms

box (in), enclose, closet, coop (up), corral, encage, encase, envelop, fence (in), hedge, hem (in), house, immure, include, mew (up), pen, wall (in)

Related Words

bound, circumscribe, confine, contain, limit, restrict; encircle, encompass, enfold, enframe, enlace, frame, ring, surround; armor, cocoon, encapsulate, encapsule, encyst, ensheathe, ensphere, enwomb

Cage

biographical name \ ˈkāj \

Definition of Cage

John Milton 1912–1992 American composer

Financial Definition of CAGE

cage

noun

What It Is

A cage is a department in a brokerage firm.

How It Works

The cage is a physical location in which people at a brokerage firm handle physical securities and certificates. The location is called a cage because it usually has bars or other barriers to prevent other people from entering and exiting, and it usually has a vault.

Why It Matters

The cage is a crucial part of any brokerage firm's operations because it ensures that clients' physical certificates are kept safe and sound, and that the right securities are exchanged in transactions.

Source: Investing Answers

CAGE Defined for English Language Learners

cage

noun

Definition of cage for English Language Learners

: a box made of wire or metal bars in which people keep animals or birds

CAGE Defined for Kids

cage

noun \ ˈkāj \

Definition of cage for Students

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

cage

verb

Definition of cage for Students

caged; caging

: 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

Learn More about cage

See words that rhyme with cage Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cage Spanish Central: Translation of cage Nglish: Translation of cage for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cage for Arabic speakers

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cage

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Cage

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cage

Definition of cage for English Language Learners

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Definition of cage for Students

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cage

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