1
2
: a device (such as a faucet or valve) for regulating the flow of a liquid
the cock of an automobile radiator
3
a
: a chief person : leader
b
: a person of spirit and often of a certain swagger or arrogance
4
a
: the hammer in the lock of a firearm
b
: the cocked position of the hammer
5
usually vulgar
: penis
cocked; cocking; cocks
2
: to turn, tip, or stick up
a horse's tail cocking almost straight up
3
: to position the hammer (see hammer entry 1 sense 2b(2)) of a firearm for firing
1
a
: to draw the hammer of (a firearm) back and set for firing
also
: to set (the trigger) for firing
b
: to draw or bend back in preparation for throwing or hitting
a quarterback cocking his arm
cock a bat
c
: to set (a mechanism, such as a camera shutter) for tripping (see trip entry 1 sense transitive 3)
2
a
: to set erect
a dog with one ear cocked
b
: to turn, tip, or tilt usually to one side
cock one's head
3
: to turn up (something, such as a hat brim)
: a small pile (as of hay)
cocked; cocking; cocks
: to put (hay or something similar) into small piles
Synonyms
Examples of cock in a Sentence
Noun (1)
an automobile radiator cock
Verb (1)
cocked his head to the side as he listened to her quizzically
Noun (2)
a slight cock of his head suggested that he was listening in on our conversation
Noun (3)
a cock of hay
Recent Examples on the Web
Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2024
Bell says, cocking her head and narrowing her eyes at her friend and co-star.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024
In 2018, Marks was identified as a person of interest in a wanton endangerment investigation after a woman reported to police that another driver cut her off and then cocked and pointed a handgun at her during a confrontation at a traffic light.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 3 Oct. 2024
When Bruce Springsteen stands onstage, staring out at the crowd, or with his head bowed, and cocks his guitar behind him, that pose is now as iconic as that of the young Abraham Lincoln holding an ax over his shoulder.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cock 
Verb
With his guitar held high and against his chest, his eyebrows cocked in that way that could be quizzical or menacing depending upon the setting, Matthews unleashed his quirky vocals.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2024
Bell says, cocking her head and narrowing her eyes at her friend and co-star.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024
In 2018, Marks was identified as a person of interest in a wanton endangerment investigation after a woman reported to police that another driver cut her off and then cocked and pointed a handgun at her during a confrontation at a traffic light.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 3 Oct. 2024
When Bruce Springsteen stands onstage, staring out at the crowd, or with his head bowed, and cocks his guitar behind him, that pose is now as iconic as that of the young Abraham Lincoln holding an ax over his shoulder.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cock
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Cock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cock. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cock
1 of 4 noun1
: the adult male of a bird and especially the domestic chicken
2
: a device (as a faucet or valve) for controlling the flow of a liquid
3
: the cocked position of the hammer of a firearm
a rifle at half cock
cock
2 of 4 verb1
a
: to draw back the hammer of (a gun) in readiness for firing
cock a pistol
b
: to set or draw back in readiness for some action
cock your arm to throw
2
: to turn, tip, or tilt upward or to one side
cock one's head
cock
3 of 4 noun
: tilt entry 2 sense 4, slant
a cock of the head
cock
4 of 4 noun
: a small pile (as of hay)
Etymology
Noun
Old English cocc "cock, rooster"; probably in imitation of the sound it makes
Noun
Middle English cok "small pile"
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