Cow
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /kaʊ/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Cow is a noun meaning (strictly) An adult female of the species Bos taurus, especially one that has calved.
Meaning
(strictly) An adult female of the species Bos taurus, especially one that has calved.
More Meanings
- (uncommon, uncountable) Beef: the meat of cattle as food.
- (uncommon) Any bovines or bovids generally, including yaks, buffalo, etc.
- (mining) A chock: a wedge or brake used to stop a machine or car.
- (US, military, slang) A third-year cadet at West Point.
- (loosely or informal) Any member of the species Bos taurus that is not of a bucking breed or fighting breed, regardless of sex or age, including steers and calves.
- (biology) A female member of other large species of mammal, including the bovines, moose, whales, seals, hippos, rhinos, manatees, and elephants.
- (derogatory, UK, Ireland, informal) A woman considered unpleasant in some way, particularly one considered nasty, stupid, fat, lazy, or difficult.
Example Sentences
The only meat I eat is cow.
We saw lots of cows at the farm show, including some surprisingly gigantic bulls.
When I was a cow (junior) at West Point, I dated a plebe (freshman), which is considered fraternization in the cadet realm.
The whole herd is out to pasture right now — the cows, calves, and heifers are out back, and the bulls are down by the creek.
Word Forms
- cows
- cowing
- cowed
Synonyms for cow
Depending on context, synonyms include bitch, moo-cow, dolphinet, bastard, bugger, buffalo.
Antonyms for cow
Common opposites include bull, ox, steer, heifer.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include moo-cow, overawe, bovine, bull, cattle, beef.
Related Dictionary Tools
Practice “cow” in a Crossword
Recall this definition from a clue, use crossing letters, and review the word again when you solve it.
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.