cook

noun

\ ˈku̇k

Definition of cook

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a person who prepares food for eating

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

cook

verb

cooked; cooking; cooks

Definition of cook (Entry 2 of 3)

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

cook one's goose

: to make one's failure or ruin certain

Cook

biographical name

\ ˈku̇k

Definition of Cook (Entry 3 of 3)

James 1728–1779 English navigator and explorer

Other Words from cook Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about cook

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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.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Flip chicken and cook, uncovered, until cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes more. — Woman's Day Kitchen, Woman's Day, "Crispy Mustard Chicken with Spring Potato Salad," 29 Apr. 2019 Dirty from the wood-burning stove and smelly from ingredients (especially in the era before refrigeration), the kitchen was the realm of servants and cooks. — Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, "Kim Kardashian West's House Has Two Kitchens, and Apparently, It's a Trend," 11 Apr. 2019 Add broth, beans and tomatoes and bring to a simmer; cook 4 minutes. — The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "Fiery Black Bean Soup," 21 Dec. 2018 Open lid, apply the remaining three sprigs of rosemary to coals, flip the chicken and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes with lid closed. — San Antonio Express-News, "Recipe: Radical Rosemary Chicken," 2 July 2018 Place in a preferably nonstick pan over medium heat and cook for about 3 minutes, until golden brown. — Daniel Neman, sacbee, "Main dishes? Fruit is not forbidden," 26 June 2018 Cover the grill and cook, without opening the grill for 4 minutes. — Jeanmarie Brownson, charlotteobserver, "Control the heat to grill the perfect steak," 26 June 2018 It will be styled after the cafés of east Africa, and two other Freedom House alums will serve as chef and cook. — Mark Kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press, "Refugees opening east African restaurant in Detroit's New Center," 21 June 2018 Add the quinoa and cook for 2 minutes to lightly toast it, then stir in the almond butter mixture. — Zoe Ruffner, Vogue, "Sakara Brings Healthy Eating Home With Their New Made-for-Instagram Cookbook," 19 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Add peas and cook without stirring until charred, about 3 minutes. — Woman's Day Kitchen, Woman's Day, "Crispy Fish with Herb Tartar Sauce and Snap Pea Salad," 20 May 2019 Cover and cook on LOW heat for 8-9 hours or until tender. — Krystyna Chávez, Marie Claire, "9 Easy Kentucky Derby Recipe Ideas You Can Whip Up In No Time," 3 May 2019 Add hazelnuts and cook until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. — The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "Asparagus, Burrata, and Prosciutto Tartines," 30 Apr. 2019 Add the onion and garlic and a pinch of salt, and cook until translucent and tender but not brown. — Audrey Bruno, SELF, "How to Cook a Risotto-Style Dish With Whatever Grain You Have," 20 Apr. 2019 Add mustard greens and cook until just wilted (about 2 minutes). — Mackenzie Wagoner, Vogue, "The Ultimate Post-Thanksgiving Detox Meal Plan," 23 Nov. 2018 Add the steak and cook until well seared, 3—4 minutes per side. — Robin Currie, Philly.com, "Bring the tapas bar home with 'Boqueria'," 5 July 2018 When the water comes to a boil, add the shrimp and quickly cook until almost done. — Sarah Fritsche, SFChronicle.com, "Recipe: Baby Iceberg Wedge Salad With Chilled Shrimp, Mint & Green Goddess," 3 July 2018 Add the bacon; cook until fat begins to render, 8-10 minutes. — Joe Gray, chicagotribune.com, "Savory meets sweet as summer fruit transforms into stellar ice cream toppings," 2 July 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.