calf

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈkaf How to pronounce calf (audio) ˈkäf How to pronounce calf (audio)
dialectal also
ˈkāf How to pronounce calf (audio)
plural calves ˈkavz How to pronounce calf (audio)
ˈkävz,
ˈkāvz
also calfs
often attributive
1
a
: the young of the domestic cow
also : that of a closely related mammal (such as a bison)
b
: the young of various large animals (such as the elephant or whale)
2
plural calfs : the hide of the domestic calf
especially : calfskin
3
: an awkward or silly youth
calflike
ˈkaf-ˌlīk How to pronounce calf (audio)
ˈkäf-
 dialectal also  ˈkāf-
adjective

calf

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural calves ˈkavz How to pronounce calf (audio)
ˈkävz
: the fleshy back part of the leg below the knee
The cat rubbed against her calves.
Phrases
in calf
: pregnant
used of a cow

Examples of calf in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
After all, there is evidence on record of the re-injury risk Gordon’s calf presents. Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2025 Vanderbilt’s contributions proved valuable for a Lakers team that was forced to make starter Rui Hachimura a late scratch because of a calf injury. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025 Hosting a rodeo is far from a meaningful solution to the city’s economic challenges, and any minor revenue gained cannot justify the harm inflicted on animals in events like calf roping, where frightened calves are violently lassoed, slammed to the ground and tied up while struggling in fear. U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025 They were dealt some bad luck when Luka Dončić exited that game with a left calf injury. Eric Koreen, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for calf 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, going back to Old English cælf, plural calfur (Anglian), cealf (West Saxon), going back to Germanic *kalƀaz, *kalƀiz-, neuter s-stem (whence also Old Saxon kalf "young of a cow," Old High German kalb, Old Norse kalfr, and, from a derivative *kalƀōn-, Old High German kalba "female calf," Gothic kalbo), of uncertain origin

Note: Associated with Greek delphýs "womb," Sanskrit garbha- "womb, fetus," going back to Indo-European *gwelbhu- (see -adelphous), but the expected outcome of an ablaut form *gwolbh-es- would be Germanic *kwalb-iz-, which does not match the attested forms.

Noun (2)

Middle English, borrowed from Old Norse kalfi "calf of the leg," going back to a Germanic source probably akin to early Modern Dutch kalf "swelling of the hand or foot," Old High German wazzerchalp "edema," German dialect Kalb "muscle"

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of calf was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near calf

Cite this Entry

“Calf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calf. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

calf

1 of 2 noun
ˈkaf How to pronounce calf (audio)
ˈkȧf
plural calves ˈkavz How to pronounce calf (audio)
ˈkȧvz
1
a
: the young of the domestic cow
b
: the young of various other large animals (as the elephant or whale)
2
plural calfs : calfskin

calf

2 of 2 noun
plural calves
: the fleshy or muscular back part of the leg below the knee
Etymology

Noun

Old English cealf "young cow"

Noun

Middle English calf "part of the leg"; of Norse origin

Medical Definition

calf

noun
plural calves ˈkavz, ˈkȧvz How to pronounce calf (audio)
: the fleshy back part of the leg below the knee

More from Merriam-Webster on calf

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