Kitchen Definitions (2024)

The Kitchen Classics

This is a list of definitions and terminology of kitchen parts and kitchen cabinet parts. If you are involved in a new or remodeled kitchen you have certainly come across the unique words and terminology that define kitchen parts and kitchen cabinet parts. This definitions page explains a wide range of words and phrases used in new and remodeled kitchen projects. We have included pictures of cabinet parts to help you clearly see what is what. We hope these definitions will help you better understand the choices you have when remodeling an existing kitchen or building a new one.

  1. Kitchen Cabinet Definitions

Kitchen Definitions (2)

Base Cabinet

A cabinet that sits on the floor. These cabinets usually support the countertops. They differ from wall cabinets which hang on the wall. Base cabinets are typically 24″ deep, and vary by width.

Kitchen Definitions (3)

Cabinet Carcass

The entire box of the cabinet.

Kitchen Definitions (4)

Concealed Hinge

A hinge that is not visible on the front door of the cabinet. Concealed hinges are attached to the inside of the door.

Kitchen Definitions (5)

Drawer Face

The front piece that is attached to the drawer box. Can also be called the drawer front. This is where the drawer handle is attached.

Kitchen Definitions (6)

Drawer Box

The box of the drawer – typically excluding the front face, but sometimes the front face is part of the drawer box.

Kitchen Definitions (7)

Exposed Hinge

A hinge that is visible on the outside edge of the cabinet door when the door is closed.

Face Frame

The wood frame that is attached to the front edges of the box of the cabinet. The frame adds strength to the box and the cabinet doors are inset into the face frame for a clean look. Face Frame cabinets differ from frameless cabinets by adding this wood frame around the front of the cabinet, frameless cabinets have no front face frame.

Kitchen Definitions (9)

Frameless Cabinet

A cabinet that does not use a frame on the front edge of the cabinet The front of the cabinet exposes the sides, top and bottom of the cabinet box, the full width and height doors then cover the cabinet box to the edges.

Kitchen Definitions (10)

Full-inset Cabinet

A cabinet style where the doors fit inside of the face frame when they are closed (as opposed to sitting on top of the face frame which is what you have in a frameless cabinet).

Kitchen Definitions (11)

Full Overlay

A cabinet style where the cabinet door or drawer covers all of the cabinet frame so that only the cabinet door is seen with no part of the face frame visible.

Kitchen Definitions (12)

Partial Overlay

A cabinet style where the cabinet door or drawer partially overlaps the cabinet face frame. When the drawers or doors are closed part of the face frame remains visible.

Kitchen Definitions (13)

Rail

The horizontal pieces of a face frame or door frame

Stile

The vertical pieces of a face frame or door frame

Panel

The center section of a door

Kitchen Definitions (14)

Toe Kick

The set back or cutout at the bottom of a cabinet that allows room for feet when standing in front of the cabinet.

Kitchen Definitions (15)

Wall Cabinet

Cabinets that are mounted to the wall – differs from base cabinets which sit on the floor. Wall cabinets are typically 12″ deep.

Kitchen Cabinet Construction Materials Terminology

Kitchen Definitions (17)

Hardwood

The wood from leaf-dropping trees is the hardest strongest and most durable wood that nature produces – the choices also make great kitchen cabinets. Examples include: oak, maple, hickory, cherry, alder and possibly exotic hardwoods like lyptus.

Kitchen Definitions (18)

Plywood

Layers of medium to softer woods glued together to form a strong cabinet building material. The wood grains of each successive layer run at different angles, this creates strength that exceeds solid hardwoods. Relatively easy to work with.

Kitchen Definitions (19)

MDF – Medium-density Fiberboard

MDF wood is fine wood fibers and glue that have been fused together with pressure and heat. The material is strong and relatively inexpensive – especially when compared to hardwoods. Does not expand and contract, and readily accepts wood veneers.

Kitchen Definitions (20)

Particle Board

Is basically sawdust and glue that have been fused together with pressure and heat. The material is not as strong as MDF.

Kitchen Definitions (21)

Particle Board

Is basically sawdust and glue that have been fused together with pressure and heat. The material is not as strong as MDF.

Kitchen Definitions (22)

Wood Veneer

Is thin sheets – typically of real wood – glued to a substrate like Medium-density Fiberboard. Veneer gives you theappearance of solid wood cabinets, without costing as much.

Kitchen Definitions (23)

Melamine

Is thin sheets of plastic – fused to a substrate material like MDF board. Plastic is more scratch and stain resistant than wood. Melamine comes in an almost endless assortment of colors.

Kitchen Definitions (24)

Metal

Most often stainless steel, steel or aluminum – metal doors are known for their strength and durability.

Kitchen Definitions (25)

Thermofoil

A thin layer of vinyl that is vacuum-pressed onto cabinet doors and drawer fronts that are typically constructed of medium-density fiberboard. Creates an easy to clean surface, wide range of colors and the option for high gloss finishes.

Kitchen Cabinet Joint Construction Techniques

Kitchen Definitions (27)

Dado Joint

A square or rectangular slot through one piece of wood that accepts another piece of wood. Typically glued as well as nail together it creates a strong joint.

Kitchen Definitions (28)

Dovetail Joint

A series of ‘pins’ that extend from the end of one board interlock with a series of ‘tails’ cut into the end of another board. The pins and tails have a trapezoidal shape. Can be glued only, does not require nails. Resists being pulled apart – a strong joint.

Kitchen Definitions (29)

Rabbet Joint

A notch cut with or across the grain on the edge of a board with the two sides 90º to each other.

Kitchen Definitions (30)

Mortise and Tenon

The basic mortise and tenon is comprised of two components: the mortise hole, and the tenon tongue.This is not a common joint in kitchens but may be used in certain components like islands, kitchen desks, and bathroom vanities.

Kitchen Molding Types and Terms

Kitchen Definitions (31)

Crown Moulding

Goes on top of the cabinet. May or may not connect cabinet with the ceiling.

Kitchen Definitions (32)

Base Moulding

Goes on the bottom of the cabinets and typically connects with floor

Kitchen Definitions (33)

Filler Moulding

Fills gaps between cabinets and walls or cabinets and cabinets

Kitchen Definitions (34)

Scribe Moulding

Finishes of sides of cabinets against the wall

Kitchen Definitions (2024)

FAQs

What is the description of a kitchen? ›

The main functions of a kitchen are to store, prepare and cook food (and to complete related tasks such as dishwashing). The room or area may also be used for dining (or small meals such as breakfast), entertaining and laundry. The design and construction of kitchens is a huge market all over the world.

What is the other meaning of kitchen? ›

A kitchen is a room that is used for cooking and for household jobs such as washing dishes. Synonyms: cookhouse, galley, kitchenette, scullery More Synonyms of kitchen.

What is the operational definition of a kitchen? ›

: a place (as a room) in which cooking is done. Etymology. Noun. Middle English kichene "kitchen," from Old English cycene (same meaning), from Latin coquina "a place where food is cooked," from earlier coquere "to cook" — related to cook. Word Origin.

What does kitchen slang mean? ›

‍Nuke it: Throw it in the microwave! ‍On deck: Food next up to be fired, plated, and sold. ‍On the fly: Something needed from the kitchen ASAP: "I need another side of béarnaise, on the fly!" ‍On the line: The area where all the line cooks are stationed. Each line cook has their own station to prepare food.

What are the sections of the kitchen? ›

The main sections include the larder, which stores and prepares raw foods; the sauce section, which prepares sauces and braised dishes; the roast section, which cooks roasted meats and performs grilling; and the fish section, which handles seafood preparations.

What does the term kitchen English mean? ›

Butler English, also known as Bearer English or Kitchen English, is a dialect of English that first developed as an occupational dialect in the years of the Madras Presidency in India, but that has developed over time and is now associated mainly with social class rather than occupation.

What is the technical definition of a kitchen? ›

The kitchen is usually a room or designated area in a dwelling that is used for the storage and preparation of food and drinks. It will generally contain fixtures, fittings, equipment and implements for preparing, cooking and sometimes for eating snacks and meals, whether breakfast, lunch or dinner.

What is the formal definition of kitchen? ›

a room where food is kept, prepared, and cooked and where the dishes are washed: We usually eat breakfast in the kitchen.

What is the acronym for kitchen? ›

The abbreviation KI stands for kitchen, O1 for...

What do chefs call the kitchen? ›

Back of house typically refers to the area behind the scenes in a restaurant where food is prepared and cooked. This includes the kitchen, storage areas, and other workspaces where chefs, cooks, prep staff, and dishwashers primarily operate. It is sometimes simply referred to as "BOH".

What is a fancy name for a kitchen? ›

Noun. A room or area for preparing and cooking food. galley. scullery. cookhouse.

What classifies a kitchen as a kitchen? ›

For that, we turn to the NEC Article 100 definition of "Kitchen": Kitchen. An area with a sink and permanent provisions for food preparation and cooking.

What is the meaning of kitchen? ›

a room where food is prepared and cooked.

Why is a kitchen called a kitchen? ›

The English term, “kitchen” is derived from a Latin word, “coquere,” which means to cook. Join us for a journey from ancient times to the present and see for yourself how much kitchens have evolved.

What is the black slang for kitchen? ›

kitchen (n.): The hair at the nape of the neck, which is typically shorter, kinkier and considered more difficult to style. cakewalk (n.): 1. A contest in which Black people would perform a stylized walk in pairs, typically judged by a plantation owner. The winner would receive some type of cake.

Why do chefs say "all day"? ›

All Day. In chef slang, the expression all day is used to indicate the total number of orders needed. As tickets come in, a chef will shout out the orders followed by all day. If there are three orders of fries on one ticket and four orders of fries on another ticket, there are seven orders of fries all day.

What does 9 top mean in a kitchen? ›

Definition: A number with “top” following it refers to the amount of people in a party dining at the establishment. Example: Hey Michelle, you've got a 6-top coming in so be ready. 86'd. Definition: When the restaurant (as in bar, kitchen, or service station) runs out of a certain ingredient or menu item.

What are the seven parts of the kitchen? ›

In design the 7 basics are: Flooring, countertops and backsplash, cabinetry, appliances, serving and storage, lighting and views and flow. Functionality has 5 elements.

How do you categorize a kitchen? ›

Then, make a list of categories: dishware, glasses, food storage, pots and pans, utensils, etc. Then assign the categories to different areas in your kitchen,' she says. Make your plan according to how much you use your items, where they are used in the kitchen and the size and shape of your cupboards and drawers.

What is kitchen vocabulary? ›

Mug – a large cup with a handle. Pot – a deep container with a lid for cooking meals on a stove. Cutting board – a small surface for cutting and chopping food on it. Pan – a shallow, flat-bottomed container for frying food on a stove.

What is the definition of kitchen Oxford dictionary? ›

a room in which meals are cooked or prepared.

Why is it called a kitchen hair? ›

The kitchen, dear readers, is also the nickname for the hair that resides at the nape of our necks. It is the place where our most rebellious kinks congregate. Hair that takes root and grows in our kitchens is the nappiest, curliest, kinkiest and the most resistant to change.

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