1
: a person who prepares food for eating
2
: a technical or industrial process comparable to cooking food
also
: a substance so processed
cooked; cooking; cooks
1
: to prepare (food) for eating by a heating process
Cook the vegetables over low heat for 10 minutes.
The fish was cooked in a wine sauce.
He cooked dinner for his guests.
3
: to alter (something, such as records) with the intention of deceiving or misleading : falsify, doctor
The point is that every country's numbers are the result of a specific set of testing and accounting regimes. Everyone is cooking the data, one way or another.—
Alexis C. Madrigal
see also cook the books
Alexis C. Madrigal4
: to subject (something) to the action of heat or fire during preparation
Agents discovered a recipe for cooking meth at his lab …—Andrew E. Serwer
Andrew E. Serwer1
: to prepare food for eating especially by means of heat
We're too busy to cook tonight.
I enjoy cooking for friends.
2
: to undergo the action of being cooked
The rice is cooking now.
4
: to perform, do, or proceed well
The jazz quartet was cooking along.
The party cooked right through the night.
Synonyms
Examples of cook in a Sentence
Noun
the hearty meals prepared by the cook at summer camp
Verb
Cook the onions over low heat.
She cooked a great meal.
The fish was cooked in a white wine sauce.
Carrots can be cooked, but they are often eaten raw.
We're too busy to cook at home.
He enjoys cooking on the weekends.
The rice is still cooking, but it will be ready in 10 minutes.
There's something cooking, but he won't say what.
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Recent Examples on the WebAlex Williams, New York Times, 23 Nov. 2023
Add the bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 3 minutes.
—Lois Ellen Frank and Walter Whitewater, Saveur, 22 Nov. 2023
Add the frozen corn and cook until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
—Florence O'Connor, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2023
The German stainless steel construction ensures durability and precision, making this set a great gift for both aspiring chefs and seasoned cooks.
—Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023
Add the onions to the pot and cook, stirring often, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pot, for about 8 minutes, or until soft and translucent.
—Jonathan Miles, Field & Stream, 15 Nov. 2023
And since James’ dad was a line cook, his roots growing up in Morristown, N.J., were in the restaurant business.
—Gary Stern, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Add onion, thyme, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 15 minutes.
—Liv Dansky, Southern Living, 12 Nov. 2023
Find it on Amazon This Air Fryer For The Freshest Meals
Feel like the chef of the house with this Air Fryer that is a dream for any home cook or food enthusiast.
—Theresa Johnson, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2023
Aly Walansky, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2023
The reel flashed forward to the bird fully cooked, and the country star taking a quick taste test of the Funyons on top.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
Tankers of fuel and four of cooking gas entered Gaza through Egypt soon after hostilities paused, the first of what aid workers hope will be surge of relief materials for millions who are hanging on with dwindling food, power, sanitation and health care.
—Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023
Practicing proper food storage in the days leading up to Turkey Day and cooking the meal with food safety in mind are two ways to help avoid any digestive woes—but safe food practices don’t end when the meal does.
—Korin Miller, Health, 24 Nov. 2023
The cottages, which are dotted across the property and come with their own electric car for ease of movement, have their own kitchen facilities if guests wish to cook.
—Shon Faye, Vogue, 23 Nov. 2023
The compact menu features a selection of mutton, chicken, or beef kebabs—always cooked to perfection—served with a choice of flatbread, rice, a green salad, and French fries.
—Claudia De Brito, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Nov. 2023
Head to Fireside Pies for a Burrata Pesto or Prosciutto & Parm pizza cooked on an open-flame firepit.
—Jennifer Chappell Smith, Southern Living, 13 Nov. 2023
That’s actually a real recipe from the woman who cooks in my house.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2023
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Noun
Sadie Gertrude Stern was born on Oct. 31, 1934, in Elizabeth, N.J., the youngest of three children of David Stern, a jukebox and vending machine distributor, and Dora (Mendelson) Stern, a skilled cook who would later prepare feasts for the cast and crew of her daughter’s productions.
—Alex Williams, New York Times, 23 Nov. 2023
Add the bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 3 minutes.
—Lois Ellen Frank and Walter Whitewater, Saveur, 22 Nov. 2023
Add the frozen corn and cook until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
—Florence O'Connor, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2023
The German stainless steel construction ensures durability and precision, making this set a great gift for both aspiring chefs and seasoned cooks.
—Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023
Add the onions to the pot and cook, stirring often, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pot, for about 8 minutes, or until soft and translucent.
—Jonathan Miles, Field & Stream, 15 Nov. 2023
And since James’ dad was a line cook, his roots growing up in Morristown, N.J., were in the restaurant business.
—Gary Stern, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Add onion, thyme, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 15 minutes.
—Liv Dansky, Southern Living, 12 Nov. 2023
Find it on Amazon This Air Fryer For The Freshest Meals
Feel like the chef of the house with this Air Fryer that is a dream for any home cook or food enthusiast.
—Theresa Johnson, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2023
Verb
Boil potatoes: Bring the water to a boil, and cook for 10-12 minutes.
—Aly Walansky, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2023
The reel flashed forward to the bird fully cooked, and the country star taking a quick taste test of the Funyons on top.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
Tankers of fuel and four of cooking gas entered Gaza through Egypt soon after hostilities paused, the first of what aid workers hope will be surge of relief materials for millions who are hanging on with dwindling food, power, sanitation and health care.
—Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023
Practicing proper food storage in the days leading up to Turkey Day and cooking the meal with food safety in mind are two ways to help avoid any digestive woes—but safe food practices don’t end when the meal does.
—Korin Miller, Health, 24 Nov. 2023
The cottages, which are dotted across the property and come with their own electric car for ease of movement, have their own kitchen facilities if guests wish to cook.
—Shon Faye, Vogue, 23 Nov. 2023
The compact menu features a selection of mutton, chicken, or beef kebabs—always cooked to perfection—served with a choice of flatbread, rice, a green salad, and French fries.
—Claudia De Brito, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Nov. 2023
Head to Fireside Pies for a Burrata Pesto or Prosciutto & Parm pizza cooked on an open-flame firepit.
—Jennifer Chappell Smith, Southern Living, 13 Nov. 2023
That’s actually a real recipe from the woman who cooks in my house.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cook.' 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, from Old English cōc, from Latin coquus, from coquere to cook; akin to Old English āfigen fried, Greek pessein to cook
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of cook was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing cook
Dictionary Entries Near cook
Cite this Entry
“Cook.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cook. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
cook
1 of 2 noun
: one who prepares food for eating
cook
2 of 2 verb1
: to prepare food for eating especially by the use of heat
2
: to go through the process of being cooked
the rice is cooking now
3
a
: to think up
cook up a scheme
b
: to go on : happen
what's cooking
Biographical Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on cook
Nglish: Translation of cook for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of cook for Arabic Speakers
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