noun

cabinet

/ˈkæbɪnət/ · say it: KAB·uh·nit

the group of senior ministers advising a head of government

In Politics & Diplomacy

In more detail

1. (noun) a piece of furniture with doors and shelves, used for storing things

2. (noun) a group of senior government ministers who make important policy decisions

Examples

1. She kept her dishes in a wooden cabinet in the kitchen.
2. The President met with members of the cabinet to discuss the new law.

How to use cabinet

Cabinet has two distinct meanings: the furniture sense is common in everyday contexts, particularly in British English (cupboard) and American English (closet/cabinet). The political sense refers specifically to the senior-level advisory body of a government, typically headed by a prime minister or president. In political contexts, it often appears with descriptive words like shadow cabinet (opposition) or inner cabinet (most influential members).

Common phrases

kitchen cabinet
medicine cabinet
cabinet maker
cabinet minister
cabinet meeting
shadow cabinet

Synonyms

cupboard · chest · dresser · wardrobe · closet

Word family

cabinetry · cabinetmaker

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse cabinet (the furniture) with other storage terms like shelf or drawer, not recognizing that a cabinet is a complete enclosed piece of furniture with doors. In politics, learners may use cabinet to refer to any government ministry rather than the specific high-level collective body.

Learn it for good

Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.

Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD