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 cord pulls out a deployment bag, allowing the parachute inside to inflate automatically. — Jacqueline Detwiler, Popular Mechanics, "How To Go Skydiving for the First Time," 5 Mar. 2019 With a pointed tip at each end of the soleplate and no cord to get in the way, there’s no place this iron can’t go. — Sarah Bogdan, Good Housekeeping, "5 Best Cordless Irons to Buy in 2019, According to Cleaning Experts," 15 Feb. 2019 Illustration by Aaron Robinson for The Verge Cutting the cord isn’t a new concept to anyone in 2018. — Chris Welch, The Verge, "The Verge Cord Cutter’s Guide: hardware, software, and services," 20 Dec. 2018 The bad: Slight treble push; cords may seem a bit long for some users. — Cnet.com, The Seattle Times, "The best wireless headphones for running," 23 Oct. 2018 Even though the industry at large is facing all these challenges like an aging population and cord cutting. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "The media is responsible for President Trump and it still hasn’t learned from 2016, says Rolling Stone’s Matt Taibbi," 18 Oct. 2018 Since the speakers operate wirelessly from the TV and aren’t linked together via a cord, each one requires its own outlet. — Chris Welch, The Verge, "Roku TV Wireless Speakers review: easy listening," 29 Nov. 2018 Shirley Vian, 24, was found partially dressed on her bed with a plastic bag over her head, and a cord wrapped around her neck, hands and feet. — Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, "BTK killer Dennis Rader tells all in unheard interview for doc: 'It's a demon that's within me'," 21 Aug. 2018 According to Claudia Nahson, a curator at the Jewish Museum, the 20 charms on her bracelet, made from brass, porcelain and wood and strung together on a cord, were either given to her as personal mementos, or bartered in exchange for food. — Jane Levere, Smithsonian, "This Remarkable Charm Bracelet Chronicles a Life Inside a Concentration Camp," 16 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Well-made with cording around edges and a flap under the zipper for further protection The testers found this product very comfortable to sleep on. — The Good Housekeeping Institute, Good Housekeeping, "Best Anti-Allergy Bedding," 10 Aug. 2010 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

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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