cog

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈkäg 

1

: a tooth on the rim of a wheel or gear

2

: a subordinate but integral person or part

cogged

ˈkägd 

adjective

cog

2 of 5

verb (1)

cogged; cogging

intransitive verb

1

obsolete : to cheat in throwing dice

2

obsolete : deceive

3

obsolete : to use venal flattery

transitive verb

1

: to direct the fall of (dice) fraudulently

2

obsolete : wheedle

cog

3 of 5

verb (2)

cogged; cogging

transitive verb

: to connect (timbers, joists, etc.) by means of mortises and tenons

cog

4 of 5

noun (2)

: a tenon on a beam or timber

cog

5 of 5

abbreviation

cognate

Examples of cog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

On Windows, click the Settings cog icon on the Start menu, then choose Apps. —David Nield, Popular Science, 3 May 2023

But while some WebEx employees took their earnings and split — wary of making the transition from fast-growing startup to cog in a Fortune 500 corporation — Yuan stuck around. —Ken Fowler, CNN, 23 Nov. 2020

Noun

To edit what this widget shows, tap and hold on it on the home screen, then choose Customize, and tap the cog icon next to At a Glance. —David Nield, Popular Science, 21 Sep. 2023

Related Story How To Read Your Birth Chart 101 The moon phase you’re born under is really just one small cog in the system of compatibility. —Aliza Pelto, Women's Health, 10 Sep. 2023

The industry is a vital cog in the world economy, generating more than 10% of global GDP in 2019. —Amanda Foreman, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2023

Corey Hart Drafted: 11th round, 2000 Two-time all-star played nine seasons with the Brewers, becoming an essential cog in the teams that went to the 2008 and 2011 playoffs. —Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 10 July 2023

Rules can also be created from Apple Mail inside the iCloud portal on the web: Click the cog icon at the top of the messages list, then choose Preferences, Rules, and Add rule. —WIRED, 17 Sep. 2023

Chief among the cogs in the machine of what could be a powerful unit, is Howell, who was named to the all-conference first team last season. —Shane Hoffmann | , oregonlive, 31 Aug. 2023

Jackson is entering the final year of his contract but could be in line for an extension as an important cog on one of the NFL's best lines, while Okwara is fighting for a roster spot. —Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 11 Aug. 2023

Nonetheless, Urías remained a key cog in their October plans. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English cogge, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish kugge cog

Verb (1)

obsolete cog a trick

Verb (2)

probably alteration of cock to cog

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1532, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Verb (2)

1823, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1830, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cog

• cog railway

• cog railway

Kids Definition

cog

noun

ˈkäg

1

: a tooth on the rim of a wheel adjusted to fit notches in another wheel or bar and to give or receive motion

2

: a person whose job is of low rank but still important