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
Liz Smith, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2024
Those two parts are primarily what prevents a gun from firing when the hammer is released after cocking.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2024
The best moment, for my money, comes right at the beginning, as Sapphira confidently saunters across the stage, holding eye contact with Ru, and Ru cocks one eyebrow.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2024
Spiro appeared to be making the point that Baldwin was cocking the hammer as the script required.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 11 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for cock 
Verb
Enter reporter, tape recorder cocked, to find Truman talking with the departing screenwriter Peter Viertel.
—Liz Smith, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2024
Those two parts are primarily what prevents a gun from firing when the hammer is released after cocking.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2024
The best moment, for my money, comes right at the beginning, as Sapphira confidently saunters across the stage, holding eye contact with Ru, and Ru cocks one eyebrow.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2024
Spiro appeared to be making the point that Baldwin was cocking the hammer as the script required.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 11 July 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 19 Aug. 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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