Definition

1. Noun:
   • A collection of live wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition: A "menagerie" refers to a place, such as a zoo or a traveling exhibit, where various wild animals are housed and displayed to the public.
   • A diverse or strange collection of people or things: By extension, "menagerie" can describe any varied and often unusual assortment.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The traveling circus featured a small menagerie of lions, tigers, and bears.
  • Her office desk was a menagerie of souvenirs from her world travels.
  • The old mansion housed a private menagerie that was the talk of the town.

Advanced Usage

• "A human menagerie": Used metaphorically to describe a diverse and eclectic group of people.
  • The downtown market on a Saturday morning is a fascinating human menagerie.

Variants and Related Words

• Zoological garden / Zoo (n): A more common and modern facility for housing and displaying animals to the public.
• Collection (n): A general term for a group of objects or beings gathered together.

Synonyms

• Zoo: A park or institution where living animals are kept for public exhibition.
• Animal collection: A straightforward term for a group of assembled animals.

Idioms and Phrases

• "A menagerie of...": A common phrase used to introduce a list of diverse elements.
  • The festival was a menagerie of music, food, and art from different cultures.

Noun

1. the facility where wild animals are housed for exhibition
2. a collection of live animals for study or display