cowbell

noun

cow·​bell ˈkau̇-ˌbel 

: a bell hung around the neck of a cow to make a sound by which the cow can be located

Examples of cowbell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The intro’s cowbell (played by Jimmy Miller) is probably the best use of that instrument in rock history. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 July 2026

In it, Will Ferrell plays a fictional musician who dramatically plays the cowbell on the track. — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 8 July 2026

The cowbell Crucial to that and about everything else is the scene is the Joint Operations Center, which might as well be called the Kansas City Situation Room. — Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026

Woody’s daughter Nora Guthrie, who has spent many years shepherding her father’s musical legacy, was rocking a cowbell and getting into the spirit. — Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cowbell

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

Kids Definition

cowbell

noun

cow·​bell ˈkau̇-ˌbel 

: a bell hung about the neck of a cow to indicate its whereabouts