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
But in the second quarter of that game, Dončić planted awkwardly on his left leg and limped off the floor with the calf injury that has warped Dallas’ season. Christian Clark, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025 Two-time champion Chiefs are off a bye and healthy, with wrecking-ball DT Chris Jones expected back from a calf injury sustained in a Week 16 win over these same Texans. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025 Wilson missed the first six games this season with a calf injury after being signed as a free agent in the offseason following his release by the Denver Broncos. John Perrotto, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 California's Proposition 12, also called the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative, places restrictions on how hens, sows and veal calves can be kept. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 9 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 21 Jan. 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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