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
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

rabbit

2 of 2

verb

rabbited; rabbiting; rabbits
rabbiter noun

Examples of rabbit in a Sentence

Noun We keep rabbits as pets.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The state of South Dakota has two species of jackrabbits, which are actually hares and have longer ears and bigger bodies than rabbits. John Raby, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025 Most have a bulbous tip that doubles as a clit vibrator, while others are dual-ended rabbit vibrators that can stimulate two hot spots at once. Gabrielle Kassel, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2025
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 See All Example Sentences for rabbit

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rabbit was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rabbit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rabbit. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on rabbit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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