corner

1 of 3

noun

cor·​ner ˈkȯr-nər How to pronounce corner (audio)
1
a
: the point where converging lines, edges, or sides meet : angle
b
: the place of intersection of two streets or roads
c
: a piece designed to form, mark, or protect a corner
2
: the angular part or space between meeting lines, edges, or borders near the vertex of the angle
the southwest corner of the state
the corners of the tablecloth
: such as
a
: the area of a playing field or court near the intersection of the sideline and the goal line or baseline
b(1)
sports : any of the angles of a ring (see ring entry 1 sense 4b)
especially : the area in which a participant in a fighting contest (such as a boxing or wrestling match) rests or is worked on by the participant's seconds during periods between rounds
(2)
: a group of supporters, well-wishers, or adherents associated especially with a contestant
c
: the side of home plate nearest to or farthest from a batter
e(1)
: the outside of a football formation
(2)
3
a
: a private, secret, or remote place
a quiet corner of New England
sent to every corner of the earth
In every corner of [=throughout] her company, you'll find people in nontraditional positions …Kenyatta Matthews
b
: a difficult or embarrassing situation : a position from which escape or retreat is difficult or impossible
was backed into a corner
4
: control or ownership of enough of the available supply of a commodity or security especially to permit manipulation of the price
5
: a point at which significant change occurs
often used in the phrase turn the corner
cornered adjective

corner

2 of 3

adjective

1
: situated at a corner
the corner drugstore
2
: used or fitted for use in or on a corner
a corner table

corner

3 of 3

verb

cornered; cornering; corners

transitive verb

1
a
: to drive into a corner
the animal is dangerous when cornered
b
: to catch and hold the attention of especially to force an interview
2
: to get a corner on
corner the market

intransitive verb

1
: to meet or converge at a corner or angle
2
: to turn a corner
the car corners well
Phrases
around the corner
: at hand : imminent
good times are just around the corner

Examples of corner in a Sentence

Noun the corner of a box A post marks the corner of the property. Write your name in the upper right-hand corner of the page. He caught the ball in the corner of the end zone. the northeast corner of the state We sat at a table in a corner of the room. The hotel is at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 59th Street. A group of teenagers were hanging around on the corner. He went to the grocery store around the corner from the bank. He said something out of the corner of his mouth to the person standing next to him. Adjective We ate in a corner booth at the restaurant. Verb Police cornered the suspect in a backyard. A cornered animal can be dangerous. He cornered the actress and demanded her autograph. The interviewer cornered the politician with some probing questions.
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
Eventually, the Roos got their winner in the 90th minute off another corner. Braidon Nourse, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024 These cameras are also rumored to be positioned more centrally within the Dynamic Island, rather than its left corner. Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 11 Nov. 2024
Adjective
But the Suns are first in corner 3 accuracy overall this season by shooting at a 43.3% clip from that area of the floor, and are 13th at 36% on all their non-corner 3s. Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 8 Mar. 2023 Wide receivers and tight ends will run crossing routes instead of wheel routes, and running backs will run option routes instead of corner and post-corner routes. C.j. Doon, baltimoresun.com, 6 Jan. 2022
Verb
Each compact electric motor in the nose powers a wheel, allowing the computers to apply power to each wheel separately, to enhance grip and cornering agility. Mark Ewing, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 When the bear finally corners the rabbit, the rabbit gives the bear a dollar bill, causing the bear to sit down and stare into space. Nina Li Coomes, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for corner 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French corner, corniere, from Old French corn "horn, angle, corner" (going back to Latin cornum, cornū "horn") or corne "horn, angle" (going back to Latin cornua, plural—taken as singular—of cornū) + -er, -iere -er entry 2 — more at horn

Adjective

attributive use of corner entry 1

Verb

derivative of corner entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1824, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of corner was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near corner

Cite this Entry

“Corner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corner. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

corner

1 of 3 noun
cor·​ner ˈkȯr-nər How to pronounce corner (audio)
1
a
: the point or place where edges or sides meet : angle
b
: the place where two streets or roads meet
c
: a piece designed to form, mark, or protect a corner
2
: a place far away from ordinary affairs or life
a quiet corner of the town
3
: a position from which escape or retreat is difficult or impossible
was backed into a corner
4
: control or ownership of enough of the available supply of something to control its price
cornered adjective

corner

2 of 3 adjective
1
: situated at a corner
the corner drugstore
2
: used or fitted for use in or on a corner
a corner cupboard

corner

3 of 3 verb
cornered; cornering
ˈkȯ(r)n-(ə-)riŋ
1
: to drive into a corner
the police cornered the criminal
2
: to get a corner on
corner the wheat market
3
: to turn a corner
a car that corners well

Medical Definition

corner

noun
cor·​ner ˈkȯ(r)-nər How to pronounce corner (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on corner

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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