cog

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈkäg

Synonyms of cog next

: a tooth on the rim of a wheel or gear

: a subordinate but integral person or part

cogged

ˈkägd

adjective

cog

2 of 5

verb (1)

cogged; cogging

intransitive verb

obsolete : to cheat in throwing dice

obsolete : deceive

obsolete : to use venal flattery

transitive verb

: to direct the fall of (dice) fraudulently

obsolete : wheedle

cog

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verb (2)

cogged; cogging

transitive verb

: to connect (timbers, joists, etc.) by means of mortises and tenons

cog

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Examples of cog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

On Windows, click the Settings cog icon on the Start menu, then choose Apps. —

David Nield, Popular Science, 3 May 2023 But while some WebEx employees took their earnings and split — wary of making the transition from fast-growing startup to cog in a Fortune 500 corporation — Yuan stuck around. —

Ken Fowler, CNN, 23 Nov. 2020

Noun

Antoine Griezmann, a key cog in France's 2018 World Cup championship squad and run to the World Cup final in 2022, has not been himself this tournament, with zero goals and zero assists in four starts. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 9 July 2024 Part track meet, part grammar school fitness test, the combine is a vital cog in the NFL draft’s evaluation machine. —

Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cog

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cog.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English cogge, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish kugge cog

Verb (1)

obsolete cog a trick

Verb (2)

probably alteration of cock to cog

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1532, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Verb (2)

1823, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of cog was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cog. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

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Kids Definition

cog

noun

ˈkäg

: a tooth on the rim of a wheel adjusted to fit notches in another wheel or bar and to give or receive motion

: a person whose job is of low rank but still important

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