coxswain

1 of 2

noun

cox·​swain ˈkäk-sən How to pronounce coxswain (audio)
-ˌswān
1
: a sailor who has charge of a ship's boat and its crew and who usually steers
2
: a steersman of a racing shell who usually directs the rowers

coxswain

2 of 2

verb

coxswained; coxswaining; coxswains

transitive verb

: to direct as coxswain

intransitive verb

: to act as coxswain

Examples of coxswain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Each rowing shell held eight rowers and one coxswain ranging in age from 14 to 18, while the chase boat was operated by their coach, police said. Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2024 Thank heavens for Luke Slattery as the coxswain Bobby Moch, who straps on a hands-free leather and metal megaphone — a contraption that, to modern eyes, looks like a torture device for mumblers — and instantly screams some life into the picture. Amy Nicholson, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2023
Verb
Watching her granddaughter Hannah pitch through a tough inning of softball or her granddaughter Lily coxswain for the rowing team was a marvel. Cecile Richards, Glamour, 11 May 2018 See all Example Sentences for coxswain 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coxswain.' 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

Middle English cokswayne, from cok cockboat (a small boat) + swain servant

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1928, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of coxswain was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near coxswain

Cite this Entry

“Coxswain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coxswain. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

coxswain

noun
cox·​swain
ˈkäk-sən,
-ˌswān
1
: a sailor who has charge of a ship's boat and its crew
2
: a person who steers a racing shell
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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