cord

noun

\ ˈkȯrd

Definition of cord

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a long slender flexible material usually consisting of several strands (as of thread or yarn) woven or twisted together

b : the hangman's rope

2 : a moral, spiritual, or emotional bond

3a : an anatomical structure (such as a nerve or tendon) resembling a cord especially : umbilical cord sense 1a

b : a small flexible insulated electrical cable having a plug at one or both ends used to connect a lamp or other appliance with a receptacle

4 : a unit of wood cut for fuel equal to a stack 4 x 4 x 8 feet or 128 cubic feet

5a : a rib like a cord on a textile

b(1) : a fabric made with such ribs or a garment made of such a fabric

(2) cords plural : trousers made of such a fabric

cord

verb

corded; cording; cords

Definition of cord (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to furnish, bind, or connect with a cord

2 : to pile up (wood) in cords

Other Words from cord Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about cord

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Synonyms for cord

Synonyms: Noun

cable, lace, lacing, line, rope, string, wire

Examples of cord in a Sentence

Noun

She wore the key on a cord around her neck. They used cords to tie the tent to the trees.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The machines were operating without power cords, and shut down after 45 minutes. — Megan Friedman, Harper's BAZAAR, "Voters Across the Country Are Running Into Issues at the Polls," 6 Nov. 2018 So Many Streams The cable bundle will face its stiffest competition when 2019 brings more reasons than ever to cut the cord. Look for Netflix to make noise in the movie biz and for more channels and companies to launch their own apps. — David Pierce, WSJ, "Tech That Will Change Your Life in 2019," 30 Dec. 2018 Comcast might be getting ready to cut the cord: the company is reportedly planning a streaming set-top box for its internet customers, according to CNBC. — Chaim Gartenberg, The Verge, "Comcast is planning a streaming set-top box for cord cutters," 8 Nov. 2018 Offer a pacifier without a cord or clip once breastfeeding has been established, generally by two to four weeks of age. — Rebeca Kimsey Markovich, M.d., miamiherald, "Tips for keeping babies safe while they're sleeping," 2 July 2018 That suggests that the Americans’ absence from this tournament, along with first-round games that start as early as 8 a.m. on the East Coast; increased live streaming; and cord-cutting are all taking a toll. — James Wagner, New York Times, "Telemundo Has a Big Goal: Win the World Cup," 23 June 2018 Under such a scenario, AT&T will not only be competing against its traditional wireless rival Verizon, but against a the cord-cutting Sling TV service, which starts at $20 a month. — USA TODAY, "Fresh off Time Warner merger, AT&T launches WatchTV streaming service, new unlimited plans," 21 June 2018 What was the way forward for a company shaken to its foundations by the cord-cutting revolution? — Fox News, "How a weakened ESPN became consumed by politics," 25 May 2018 The 26-year-old Queens native says her early-morning commute to Manhattan was shattered by a booming beat after two co-passengers joined the ride and plugged an iPhone into the car’s auxiliary cord. — Kiana Cornish, WSJ, "‘Ride from Hell’: Carpooling in the Age of Uber Can Be…Awkward," 6 Dec. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The landline telephone — curly corded, cord-free, rotary or with chunky plastic buttons — used to be a fixture of American homes. — Tracey Lien, latimes.com, "More than half of U.S. households have ditched landline phones," 7 June 2018 Compact reciprocating saws - corded or cordless - cost $80-$120, depending on make and model. — Shannon Tompkins, Houston Chronicle, "Fillet blade a cut above the rest for anglers," 6 June 2018 Non-Ombré: Wynn Neon corded rug, $25 at urbanoutfitters.com. — Katy Schneider, The Cut, "Longchamp’s New Flagship, Depop Goes Brick-and-Mortar, and Goat Yoga in Bushwick," 15 Apr. 2018 Arceo was not at home at the time, and returned to find his wife lying in a pool of blood, and his daughter cording to court records. — Crimesider Staff, CBS News, "Tears, curses fill Utah court as killer of mother of two is sentenced," 12 Apr. 2018 Amazon's best-selling oscillating power tools are also on sale today, the Porter-Cable PCE605K corded oscillating multi-tool kit. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Help Your Sink Gargle Garbage With Today's Amazon Deals," 15 Nov. 2017 Derived from an Egyptian material called Fustian, this corded, velvet-like material has been worn by squires and slackers, but became associated with the working class during the industrial revolution. — Vogue, "The Cords & Co. Opens a Store in SoHo and Exclusively Reveals Its Next Collab with Vogue," 21 Feb. 2018 Sales of most corded window blinds and shades – products blamed for the strangulation deaths of more than 300 U.S. infants and toddlers since 1981 — will come to an end late this year. — Rick Schmitt, kansascity, "Fight to stop child strangulation deaths from window blinds reaches milestone," 26 Jan. 2018 Which means the royal watchers were keeping an eye out for the first signs of a baby bump under her cornflower-blue, corded lace dress from Temperley London. — Jayme Deerwester, USA TODAY, "Duchess Kate returns to work; royal watchers play 'spot the baby bump'," 11 Oct. 2017

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

History and Etymology for cord

Noun

Middle English cord, corde, borrowed from Anglo-French corde "string, rope," going back to Latin chorda, corda "tripe, string of a musical instrument," borrowed from Greek khordḗ "catgut, string of a musical instrument, sausage," in plural "guts, tripe" — more at yarn entry 1

Verb

Middle English corden "to string a bow," in part derivative of cord, corde cord entry 1, in part borrowed from Anglo-French corder "to tie with a cord"

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