n. 1 the room or area where food is prepared and cooked. 2 (attrib.) of or belonging to the kitchen (kitchen knife; kitchen table). 3 sl. the percussion section of an orchestra. everything but the kitchen sink everything imaginable. kitchen cabinet a group of unofficial advisers thought to be unduly influential. kitchen garden a garden where vegetables and sometimes fruit or herbs are grown. kitchen midden a prehistoric refuse-heap which marks an ancient settlement, chiefly containing bones, seashells, etc. kitchen-sink (in art forms) depicting extreme realism, esp. drabness or sordidness (kitchen-sink school of painting; kitchen-sink drama). kitchen tea Austral. & NZ a party held before a wedding to which female guests bring items of kitchen equipment as presents.
[ OE cycene f. L coquere cook ]