Words / B2

KAB-in-uh-t/ˈkæbɪnət/

In British politics, the Cabinet is the group of senior government ministers: a Cabinet meeting, a Cabinet minister. Government is broader; ministry is one department. A cabinet is also a piece of furniture with doors and shelves — mention that sense so you do not mix them. In speech, senior ministers is the political gloss. Capital C is common for the government body. Do not write cabinet when you only mean a kitchen cupboard in a news story about Number 10.

Meaning

The group of senior government ministers; also a piece of furniture with doors and shelves.

Examples

• “The cabinet met to discuss the new law.”
• “The Cabinet split over the timing of the announcement, then presented a single line.”
• “The minutes sat in a locked cabinet in the office — the furniture, not the ministers.”

Good to know

Senior UK ministers (often Cabinet). Everyday: senior ministers. Also: furniture with doors/shelves. Keep the political and furniture senses apart.

New