cook

noun \ ˈku̇k \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Examples: cook in a Sentence

Definition of cook

1 : a person who prepares food for eating

2 : a technical or industrial process comparable to cooking food; also : a substance so processed

See cook defined for English-language learners

See cook defined for kids

Examples of cook in a Sentence

the hearty meals prepared by the cook at summer camp

Recent Examples of cook from the Web

The union representing thousands of Las Vegas casino workers says the two largest operators would lose more than $10 million a day combined if housekeepers, cooks and others go on strike.

— Washington Post, "Union: Strike would cost top Vegas casinos over $10M a day," 31 May 2018
On Wednesday, the Culinary Union estimated that MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment, two of Vegas' largest resort operators in Vegas, would lose more than $10 million a day combined if housekeepers, cooks and others go on strike.

— editors, USA TODAY, "Pompeo talks U.S.-North Korea summit, NBA Finals: 5 things you need to know Thursday," 31 May 2018
Like other businesses in the travel and tourism industry, our company relies on seasonal workforces to fill a variety of essential guest-facing and back-of-house positions, from lift operators and ski instructors to cooks and housekeepers.

— rob katz, Outside Online, "Op-Ed: Ski Resorts Rely on Smart Immigration Reform," 31 May 2018
The restaurant is hiring servers, expo, line and prep cooks and dishwashers.

— jennifer mcclellan, azcentral, "Sam Fox hiring for new Flower Child restaurant at Desert Ridge Marketplace," 30 May 2018
Antonio was an avid gardener, great cook and loved spending time with his grandchildren.

— courant.com, "Antonio Resendes Dos Reis," 30 May 2018
The woman serving the Thanksgiving turkey in Freedom from Want was Rockwell’s family cook, and two of the women seated at the table were Rockwell’s mother (on the lower right) and his wife (across from her).

— wayne lawson, Vanities, "Norman Rockwell’s Hokey America Is Looking Pretty Good Right Now," 30 May 2018
Her dad, a retired Army cook, and her mother, who worked in the lab at Tasty Baking Co,, provided her with eight siblings — and some early lessons on barriers and how to break them.

— kristin e. holmes, Philly.com, "Lutheran minister from Philly overcame misgivings to make history as first black female bishop," 23 May 2018
The latest strike would mean losing workers with roles critical to making a casino-hotel run: bartenders, housekeepers, cocktail and food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks and other kitchen workers.

— douglas perry, OregonLive.com, "Eagle and young fox battle midair for dinner -- eagle wins: Watch the dramatic video," 23 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of cook

Middle English, from Old English cōc, from Latin coquus, from coquere to cook; akin to Old English āfigen fried, Greek pessein to cook

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

cook Synonyms

Synonyms

chef, cooker;

Related Words

baker;

barbecuer, griller;

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

cook

verb

Definition of cook

cooked; cooking; cooks

intransitive verb

1 : to prepare food for eating especially by means of heat

French cooking

2 : to undergo the action of being cooked

the rice is cooking now

3 : occur, happen

find out what was cooking in the committee

4 : to perform, do, or proceed well

the jazz quartet was cooking along

the party cooked right through the night

transitive verb

1 : concoct, fabricate —usually used with up

cooked up a scheme

2 : to prepare for eating by a heating process

3 : falsify, doctor

cooked the books with phony spending cuts and accounting gimmickry
—Colleen O'Connor

4 : to subject to the action of heat or fire

—

cookable

play \ˈku̇-kə-bəl\ adjective

— cook one's goose

: to make one's failure or ruin certain

See cook defined for English-language learners

Examples of cook in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of cook from the Web

Add honey and cook until honey starts sticking to walnuts.

— jennifer rude klett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Meat & greet: It’s time to restore the butcher shop tradition," 5 June 2018
Add carrots and cook in a single layer, undisturbed, until beginning to soften and brown underneath, about 2 minutes.

— chris morocco, Bon Appetit, "Spicy Pork Bowl with Greens and Carrots," 4 June 2018
When the water is boiling, add the potatoes and cook until tender, about 8 to 10 minutes.

— jessica battilana, San Francisco Chronicle, "Repertoire: A salad for your summer salmon days," 4 June 2018
Add in the peas and asparagus, cook until warm through but still very crisp Arrange the vegetables in a circle on a plate. Dab with spoonfuls of hummus, and drizzle with the vinaigrette.

— polly campbell, Cincinnati.com, "Chef and a Recipe: Justin Uchtman of Sartre does spring vegetables," 4 June 2018
Add the onions and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes, until beginning to brown.

— daniel neman, sacbee, "Spanish food? Sí, por favor!," 29 May 2018
Add macaroni and cook according to package directions, until pasta is al dente.

— ann maloney, NOLA.com, "Mac and cheese made with mayo and yogurt? Taste a tangy, creamy bite," 29 May 2018
Add onion; cook until slightly crisp but still tender, 4 to 5 minutes.

— jeanmarie brownson, charlotteobserver, "How to stock your kitchen for quick shrimp dinners," 29 May 2018
Spoon a heaping 1/2 cup of batter onto waffle iron and cook until light golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes.

— anna helm and gabriella vigoreaux, Country Living, "Rainbow Waffle Sandwiches," 22 May 2018

First Known Use of cook

14th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

cook Synonyms

Cook

biographical name \ ˈku̇k \

Definition of Cook

James 1728–1779 English navigator and explorer

COOK Defined for English Language Learners

cook

noun

Definition of cook for English Language Learners

: someone who prepares and cooks food for eating at home, in a restaurant, etc.

cook

verb

Definition of cook for English Language Learners

: to prepare (food) for eating especially by using heat
: to go through the process of being cooked
: to happen or take place

COOK Defined for Kids

cook

noun \ ˈku̇k \

Definition of cook for Students

: a person who prepares food for eating

cook

verb

Definition of cook for Students

cooked; cooking

1 : to prepare food for eating by the use of heat

2 : to go through the process of being heated in preparation for being eaten

Dinner is cooking.

3 : to create through thought and imagination —usually used with up

The boys are cooking up a scheme to earn money.

Learn More about cook

See words that rhyme with cook Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cook Spanish Central: Translation of cook Nglish: Translation of cook for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cook for Arabic speakers

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cook

Definition of cook

Examples of cook in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of cook

cook Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Food Terms

cook

Definition of cook

cookable

Examples of cook in a Sentence

Recent Examples of cook from the Web

First Known Use of cook

cook Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Cook

Definition of Cook

Phrases Related to COOK

Related Phrases

COOK Defined for English Language Learners

cook

Definition of cook for English Language Learners

cook

Definition of cook for English Language Learners

COOK Defined for Kids

cook

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cook

Definition of cook for Students

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