Durham

1 of 2

noun (1)

Dur·​ham ˈdər-əm 

ˈdə-rəm, 

ˈdu̇r-əm 

: shorthorn

shorthorn

2 of 2

noun (2)

short·​horn ˈshȯrt-ˌhȯrn 

variants often Shorthorn

: any of a breed of red, roan, white, or red and white short-horned beef cattle originating in northern England and including good milk-producing strains

called also Durham

Illustration of shorthorn

Examples of Durham in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Stockyard roots The Stock Show’s beginnings can be traced to the Denver Blood Stock Association’s Blood Stock Fair, an 1874 event that showed thoroughbred cattle such as shorthorns and Herefords, but also featured five days of horse racing, Fessenden said. —John Wenzel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

County Durham, England

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1810, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1847, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Durham

• Durham rule

Geographical Definition

Durham

geographical name

Dur·​ham ˈdər-əm 

ˈdə-rəm, 

ˈdu̇r-əm

1

city in northeast central North Carolina northwest of Raleigh population 228,330

2

county of northern England bordering on the North Sea area 974 square miles (2523 square kilometers), population 513,242

3

city and capital of the English county of Durham population 47,785