Pronunciation Noun

cow (see usage notes)

  1. (properly) An adult female of the species Bos taurus, especially one that has calved.
  2. (formerly inexact but now common) Any member of the species Bos taurus regardless of sex or age, including bulls and calves.
  3. (uncommon) Beef: the meat of cattle as food.
  4. (uncommon) Any bovines or bovids generally, including yaks, buffalo, etc.
  5. (biology) A female member of other large species of mammal, including the bovines, moose, whales, seals, hippos, rhinos, manatees, and elephants.
  6. (derogatory, UK, AU, informal) A woman considered unpleasant in some way, particularly one considered nasty, stupid, fat, lazy, or difficult.
    • 1933, George Orwell, Down and Out in Paris and London, Chapter XXXII,
      […] the worst insult to a woman, either in London or Paris, is "cow"; a name which might even be a compliment, for cows are among the most likeable of animals.
    • 1990, House of Cards, Season 1, Episode 2:
      Greville Preston: You've been set up, you silly cow. Now, don't let me hear any more about this unless you have absolute stand-up-in-court proof it's kosher...
      Mattie Storin: Pig.
  7. (mining) A chock: a wedge or brake used to stop a machine or car.
Synonyms Antonyms
  • (female domesticated ox or other bovine) bull (male, uncastrated), ox or steer (male, castrated), heifer (female, immature)

cow (cows, present participle cowing; past and past participle cowed)

  1. (transitive, mostly, in the passive voice) To intimidate; to daunt the spirits or courage of.
    Con artists are not cowed by the law.
    • To vanquish a people already cowed.
Translations Noun

cow (plural cows)

  1. (UK, dialect) A chimney cowl.



  1. (computing) Acronym of w:Copy-on-write

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