cowl

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: a hood or long hooded cloak especially of a monk
b
: a draped neckline on a woman's garment
2
a
: a chimney covering designed to improve the draft
b
: the top portion of the front part of an automobile body forward of the two front doors to which are attached the windshield and instrument board
c

cowl

2 of 2

verb

cowled; cowling; cowls

transitive verb

: to cover with or as if with a cowl

Examples of cowl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The actor and author, 37, wore a white, spaghetti-strap gown with a cowl neck and side, knee-high slit while presenting during the annual award show with Joe Manganiello. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 19 Feb. 2024 Much like the Dune movies, her outfit comes in two parts: a voluminous drop-waist skirt and a crop top with a cowl neck. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 12 Feb. 2024 The top has a stylish cowl neck and over-thumb sleeves. Barbara Bellesi Zito, Travel + Leisure, 12 Feb. 2024 But at least Watchmen will always have a fan in Patrick Wilson, who sounds just about ready to don the Nite Owl cape and cowl again. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 18 July 2023 Pippa’s dress, also created by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen like her sister’s, featured a cowl neckline made of ivory crêpe fabric and organza buttons down the back. Jacqueline Weiss, Peoplemag, 12 Dec. 2023 This dress has a spaghetti strap fit and cowl neck design, that creates the most perfect touch of class. Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2023 The velvet dress has a cowl neck and fit-and-flare shape and is made from high-stretch material to keep you comfortable all night long. Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 15 Dec. 2023 Imagine the cowl neck draping elegantly, adding a touch of sophistication to your festive attire. Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023
Verb
In 2018, an outer covering of an engine cowling that broke loose on an earlier version of a 737 jet shattered a window on a Southwest Airlines flight. Gregory Wallace, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 That’s what happened on a Southwest flight in 2018, when part of an engine cowling broke free and shattered a window. Chris Isidore, CNN, 18 Feb. 2024 The last death on a commercial plane occurred in 2018, on Southwest Airlines 1380, after an engine cowling broke and damaged an aircraft window, causing a passenger to be partially ejected from the aircraft. Amanda Maile, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2023 The most effective example of contemporary sensibilities is a tight shot of three American mechanics examining a B-17 engine cowling on a typical English airfield. Chuck Thompson, Popular Mechanics, 16 May 2019 Fortunately, down on the stage as fans cheered and reached out, the performers kept their cool – even while retelling one of the most emotional stories of all time, complete with glitter, gold and giant cowled coats. Randee Dawn, latimes.com, 14 June 2018 There is the amazing gold bead dress worn by Tina Turner, the purple cowled dress worn by Grace Jones, and Elle MacPherson’s wedding dress. Luke Leitch, Vogue, 9 May 2018 In 2016, an American Airlines flight from Phoenix to San Francisco turned back after part of the engine cowling fell off. Maggie Astor, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2018 Cowling made a 3-pointer for a 57-52 lead with 6:54 left to play. Elliott Almond, The Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cowl.' 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 cowle, from Old English cugele, from Late Latin cuculla monk's hood, from Latin cucullus hood

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1536, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cowl was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near cowl

Cite this Entry

“Cowl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cowl. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cowl

noun
ˈkau̇(ə)l
1
: a monk's hood or long hooded cloak
2
: the top part of an automobile body forward of the two front doors to which are attached the windshield and instrument panel
3
cowled
ˈkau̇ld
adjective

Biographical Definition

Cowl

biographical name

Jane 1883–1950 originally Grace Bailey American actress

More from Merriam-Webster on cowl

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