English · Word Candidate

kitten

/ˈkɪtən̩/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: kittens · kittening · kittened

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A young cat, especially before sexual maturity (reached at about seven months).

Noun

Examples

It was supposed to have happened thus: the cat had young kittens, and frequently carried them mice, and other animals its prey, and among the rest a young rat: the kittens, not being hungry, played with it, and when the cat came to give suck to the kittens, the rat likewise sucked her.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A young rabbit, rat, hedgehog, squirrel, fox, beaver, badger, etc.

Noun

Examples

The first move at beaver raising in North Dakota had its starting in the fall of 1874, when a kitten beaver was taken out of Mandan Lake by the writer and given to a little Indian girl who then lived with her guardians at Pretty Point near the present village of Sanger, Oliver county.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To give birth to kittens.

Verb

Examples

A cat about to kitten, must not be spoken of by its name, but called a witch. (Madagascar.)

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “kitten” mean?

A young cat, especially before sexual maturity (reached at about seven months).

Is “kitten” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.