noun
litter
A group of young animals born to one mother at the same time.
The cat nurses a litter of five kittens.
Etymology
The earlier meaning was bedding, particularly straw laid down for animals. The word then came to name the young animals born together on such a bed.
More examples
- One puppy was smaller than the rest of the litter.
- The dog had her first litter in spring.
- Each litter needed a separate warm space.
Forms
litter · litters
Similar words
- brood
- Often used for birds, and sometimes a family group more broadly.