kibble
KIB-uhl
/ˈkɪbəl/
Ground meal shaped into dry pellets, used especially as food for dogs and cats.
Refers specifically to dry, processed pet food pellets, as opposed to wet canned food, raw food, or home-cooked meals.
The story behind the word. The word originates from the Middle English verb 'kybbel', which meant to chop, grind, or cut into small pieces. In the 18th and 19th centuries, 'kibbled' grain referred to coarsely ground beans or oats. By the mid-20th century, with the rise of commercial pet food manufacturing, the noun 'kibble' became the standard term for dry, bite-sized pet food pellets.
Word relationships
- dry food: 'Dry food' is a general category, while 'kibble' specifically refers to the small, extruded pellets.
- chow: 'Chow' is an informal slang term for food in general, though sometimes used in brand names for pet food.
- wet food: Canned, moisture-rich food for pets.
Commonly confused with
- pellets: 'Pellets' is used for rabbit, bird, or rodent food, whereas 'kibble' is almost exclusively used for dog and cat food.
Collocations
- dry kibble
- bag of kibble
- puppy kibble
Example sentences
- "We decided to mix a little warm water into the puppy's kibble to make it easier for him to chew." A pet nutrition discussion.
- "The store room was stacked high with fifty-pound bags of grain-free dog kibble." An inventory check at a pet store.
Memory hook
Think of a dog 'nibbling' on a piece of 'kibble'. Nibble on kibble.
When not to use
Do not use to describe human cereal, even if it looks similar, or large livestock feed blocks.
Fun facts
- The process used to make kibble is called 'extrusion'—the same industrial process used to make puffed breakfast cereals and cheesy curls.
Related words
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