cognac

noun

co·​gnac ˈkōn-ˌyak 

also ˈkȯn-

or ˈkän-

variants often Cognac

: a brandy from the departments of Charente and Charente-Maritime distilled from white wine

Examples of cognac in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jingle Balls Nog is Miracle’s take on spiked eggnog, made with cognac, cream sherry, almond milk, cream, egg, vanilla and nutmeg (a nonalcoholic version without the cream sherry and cognac is available for $7). —Kansas City Star, 20 Dec. 2025

The scent feels warm, inviting, and delectable, opening with cognac before transitioning into notes of cinnamon, tonka bean, praline, and vanilla. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025

This cocktail mixes cognac, oak, tonka, and cinnamon for an imminently drinkable expression. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 17 Dec. 2025

Beijing also levied anti-dumping duties on European brandy, most notably cognac produced in France, though major brandy producers received exemptions. —Elaine Kurtenbach, Fortune, 16 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Cognac, France

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cognac

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• comeback
• cutback

Kids Definition

cognac

noun

co·​gnac ˈkōn-ˌyak 

often capitalized

: a French brandy

Etymology

named for Cognac, town in France in and near which it is made