kraal

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: an African and especially a southern African village in which a group of dwellings surrounds a livestock enclosure
b
: the community that inhabits a kraal
2
: an enclosure for animals especially in southern Africa

kraal

2 of 2

verb

kraaled; kraaling; kraals

transitive verb

: to pen in a kraal

Examples of kraal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
In fact, by 1978, black children could be shot on sight for leaving their family's kraal, or homestead. Alexandra Fuller, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2020 Inspired by a traditional kraal (village) and surrounded by four savannahs, the lodge is home to 30 wildlife species — zebras, giraffes, flamingos, and gazelles — some of which can be spotted wandering past room windows. Alisha Prakash, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2020 Next to each tent was a protective kraal of thorn brush for the animals at night. Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Dec. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kraal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Afrikaans, from Portuguese curral pen for cattle, enclosure, from Vulgar Latin *currale enclosure for vehicles — more at corral

First Known Use

Noun

1731, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1827, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kraal was in 1731

Dictionary Entries Near kraal

Cite this Entry

“Kraal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kraal. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

kraal

noun
ˈkrȯl,
ˈkräl
1
: a village of southern African natives
2
: an enclosure for tame animals especially in southern Africa

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