cobble

verb cob·ble \ ˈkä-bəl \

Updated on: 26 Apr 2018

Definition of cobble

cobbled; cobbling play \-b(ə-)liŋ\

transitive verb

1 chiefly British : to mend or patch coarsely

2 : repair, make

cobble shoes

3 : to make or put together roughly or hastily —often used with together or up

cobble together an agreement

cobble up a temporary solution

See cobble defined for English-language learners

See cobble defined for kids

Examples of cobble in a Sentence

expensive leather shoes cobbled in Italy

Recent Examples of cobble from the Web

Graham and Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina have cobbled together legislation with two Democratic senators to protect Mueller’s job.

— Fortune, "How President Trump Could Imperil His Presidency by Firing Robert Mueller," 12 Apr. 2018
But McKinney can also cobble a costume together in a day or two, like Kupfner, who prefers to keep things simpler.

— eder campuzano, OregonLive.com, "More than a costume: Portland cosplayers say suiting up is a labor of love," 10 Apr. 2018
The child care system cobbled together in this country is a challenge for all parents, but the stakes are perilously high for working-class women and women of color.

— anne branigin, The Root, "The Future of Child Care: How to Create a Fairer, More Equitable System for Working Women and Women of Color," 28 Mar. 2018
The few studies conducted have been limited in scope and often cobbled together with minor grants or university support.

— william wan, Washington Post, "Tenacious new gun researchers are determined to break cycle of mass shootings," 24 Mar. 2018
Congressional leaders finally cobbled together a deal over federal spending for the next six months.

— matthew yglesias, Vox, "The week’s 4 most important political stories, explained," 23 Mar. 2018
So is scrappy young Amara (Cailee Spaeny), who has been cobbling a homemade Jaeger together.

— katie walsh, kansascity, "‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’ melds action and heart | The Kansas City Star," 22 Mar. 2018
Artists cobbled displays together from tables, easels and even a laundry basket on stilts.

— joy wallace dickinson, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Famed Winter Park art show sprang from hometown talent," 18 Mar. 2018
Without a majority, the parties must cobble together a coalition to run the government.

— john bacon, USA TODAY, "Populism, immigration in spotlight as Italy goes to polls," 4 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cobble.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cobble

Middle English coblen, perhaps back-formation from cobelere cobbler

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

cobble

noun

Definition of cobble

1 : cobblestone

2 cobbles plural, chiefly British : lump coal about the size of small cobblestones

See cobble defined for English-language learners

Examples of cobble in a Sentence

a street paved with cobbles

Recent Examples of cobble from the Web

The 23-year-old Veranda's Willems-Crelan rider fell on the second set of cobbles in the one-day classic in northern France.

— jim vertuno, Houston Chronicle, "Lance Armstrong settles $100M lawsuit with US government," 19 Apr. 2018
The skill is riding a 1938 Ariel Red Hunter at speed on a road of treacherous cobbles that could shift and spill you at any time.

— andrew liptak, The Verge, "Read an excerpt from Luna author Ian McDonald’s heartbreaking new time-travel romance," 31 Mar. 2018
This area has recently been shored up with cobble designed to absorb the impact of the waves hitting the bank.

— abby spegman, The Seattle Times, "Washington’s coast battered by major waves, flooding," 20 Jan. 2018
The cobbles are followed by a rest day on July 16, and Froome had better make the most of it because the Alps start brutally the day after.

— USA TODAY, "Tour champion Froome could face Dumoulin test on 2018 route," 17 Oct. 2017
The Roubaix cobbles may perhaps trouble Froome, although Prudhomme thinks the British rider can handle anything.

— USA TODAY, "Tour champion Froome could face Dumoulin test on 2018 route," 17 Oct. 2017
The freelance working actor cobbles together an annual income that is usually in the range of the median for Los Angeles.

— annabelle gurwitch, WSJ, "After ‘Wonder Woman,’ Let’s Cast More Women in Bit Parts Too," 14 July 2017
Our final evening of camping was on cobbles underneath the Mile 10 sign of the pipeline.

— author: ned rozell, Alaska Dispatch News, "A trek across 850 miles of Alaska ends — fittingly — with a final bear encounter," 19 Aug. 2017
The white quartz stones that make up the outer wall were brought here from Wicklow (71 miles south) and the granite cobbles from Rathcor (40 miles north).

— jane smiley, New York Times, "Jane Smiley Explores Ancient Ireland’s Mysterious Tombs," 20 Dec. 2016

First Known Use of cobble

1600

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

COBBLE Defined for English Language Learners

cobble

verb

Definition of cobble for English Language Learners

: to make (something) by putting together different parts in a quick way
: to make or repair (shoes)

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See words that rhyme with cobble Spanish Central: Translation of cobble Nglish: Translation of cobble for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cobble

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cobble

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Origin and Etymology of cobble

cobble

Definition of cobble

Examples of cobble in a Sentence

Recent Examples of cobble from the Web

First Known Use of cobble

COBBLE Defined for English Language Learners

cobble

Definition of cobble for English Language Learners

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cobble

Definition of cobble

Examples of cobble in a Sentence

Recent Examples of cobble from the Web

Origin and Etymology of cobble

cobble

Definition of cobble

Examples of cobble in a Sentence

Recent Examples of cobble from the Web

First Known Use of cobble

COBBLE Defined for English Language Learners

cobble

Definition of cobble for English Language Learners

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