A hutch is a wooden cage or shelter, usually for small animals like rabbits or guinea pigs. Unlike a simple cage with metal bars, a hutch typically has solid wooden walls on some sides and wire mesh on others, creating a cozy, protected space. Many hutches have two levels: a covered area where animals can hide and sleep, and an open area with wire sides where they can see out and get fresh air.

Farmers and pet owners use hutches to keep their animals safe from predators and bad weather while still giving them room to move around. A good rabbit hutch might sit in a backyard, raised off the ground so the rabbit stays dry, with a little ramp leading to an enclosed sleeping box filled with hay.

The word can also describe a type of kitchen furniture: a large cabinet with shelves on top and cupboards below, often used to display dishes or store food. Your grandmother might keep her nice china plates in a hutch in her dining room, where visitors can admire them through glass doors.