/ ˈkʌbəd; NAmE -bərd/ noun
1.
a piece of furniture with doors and shelves used for storing dishes, food, clothes, etc. :
kitchen cupboards
2.
( BrE ) ( NAmE closet ) a space in a wall with a door that reaches the ground, used for storing things :
built-in cupboards
—see also airing cupboard , broom cupboard
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IDIOMS
- the cupboard is bare
- cupboard love
—more at skeleton
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (denoting a table or sideboard on which cups, plates, etc. were displayed): from cup + board .