cube

UK: /ˈkjuːb/ US: /kjub/ ,(kyo̅o̅b; Botan. kyo̅o̅′bā)

Inflections of 'cube' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

cubes

v 3rd person singular

cubing

v pres p

cubed

v past

cubed

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

cube¹ /kyub/   n., v., cubed, cub•ing. 
n. [countable]

1. Mathematics a solid object with sides that are six equal squares, or an object similar to this:
   a sugar cube.
2. Mathematics the number resulting from multiplying a number by itself twice;
   the third power of a quantity.
3. Slang Terms Slang. one of a pair of dice;
   a die.

v. [~ + object]

4. to make into a cube or cubes, as by cutting:
   He cubed the carrots and potatoes.
5. Mathematics to multiply (a number) by itself twice;
   raise (a number) to the third power:
   If you cube the number 4, you get 64.

cub•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

cube¹  (kyo̅o̅b), n., v., cubed, cub•ing. 
n. 

1. Mathematics a solid bounded by six equal squares, the angle between any two adjacent faces being a right angle.
2. Furniture an object, either solid or hollow, having this form or a form approximating it:
   a cube of cheese; plastic storage cubes.
3. sugar cube.
4. Photography flashcube.
5. Mathematics the third power of a quantity, expressed as a³ = a•a•a.
6. Automotive, Weights and Measures, Informal Terms [Informal.] cubic inch, esp. as a measure of the displacement of an automotive engine:
   a new sports car with 350 cubes.
7. Slang Terms one of a pair of dice;
   die.
8. Slang Terms a person who is unaware of or unfamiliar with current ideas, opinions, trends, etc.;
   square.

v.t. 

9. to make into a cube or cubes.
10. to cut into cubes.
11. Mathematics to raise to the third power.
12. Weights and Measures to measure the cubic contents of.
13. Food to tenderize (a thin cut or slice of meat) by scoring the fibers in a pattern of squares.

• Greek kýbos cube, die
• Latin
• Middle English cubus 1350–1400

cub′er, n. 

cu•be²  (kyo̅o̅′bā), n. 

any of several tropical plants of the legume family that are used in making fish poisons and insecticides. Also, cu•bé  (kyo̅o̅ bā′). 
• origin, originally uncertain 1920–25

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

cube / kjuːb/ noun

1. a solid having six plane square faces in which the angle between two adjacent sides is a right angle
2. the product of three equal factors: the cube of 2 is 2 × 2 × 2 (usually written 2³)
3. something in the form of a cube

verb

1. to raise (a number or quantity) to the third power
2. (transitive) to make, shape, or cut (something, esp food) into cubes

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin cubus die, cube, from Greek kubos

ˈcuber noun