cork

1 of 2

noun

ˈkȯrk 

1

a

: the elastic tough outer tissue of the cork oak that is used especially for stoppers and insulation

b

: phellem

2

: a usually cork stopper for a bottle or jug

3

: a fishing float

cork

2 of 2

verb

corked; corking; corks

transitive verb

1

: to furnish or fit with cork or a cork

2

: to stop up with a cork

cork a bottle

3

: to blacken with burnt cork

corked faces

Examples of cork in a Sentence

Noun

the cork of a wine bottle

Verb

a corked bottle of wine

a player who has been accused of illegally corking his bats

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Consider the material as well: From cork mats and woven placemats to vinyl and rattan designs, there are several different directions to take your table decor. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 16 June 2025

The accommodations are swathed in earthy tones, with woven-grass wallpaper and textured furniture; those cork chairs and lampshades were designed by South African studio HK. —Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 13 June 2025

Verb

Public opposition to the fee helped cork the proposal. —Sarah Scoles, JSTOR Daily, 11 June 2025

The brash freshman who spent much of the season bragging to teammates about his power corked a bat to crush balls even farther. —Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, cork, bark, probably from Middle Dutch *kurk or Middle Low German korck, from Old Spanish alcorque, ultimately from dialect Arabic qurq, from Latin quercus oak — more at fir

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cork

• cork cambium
• cork oak
• pop the cork
• put a cork in it

Rhymes for cork

• bork
• dork
• fork
• pork
• stork
• torque
• pitchfork

Kids Definition

cork

1 of 2 noun

ˈkȯ(ə)rk 

1

a

: the elastic tough outer tissue of the cork oak used especially for stoppers and insulation

b

: the tissue of a woody plant making up most of the bark and arising from an inner cambium

2

: a usually cork stopper for a bottle or jug

3

: a fishing float

cork

2 of 2 verb

1

: to furnish, fit, or seal with a cork

cork a bottle

2

: to blacken with burnt cork

Geographical Definition

Cork

geographical name

ˈkȯrk 

1

county of southwestern Ireland in Munster bordering on the Celtic Sea area 2880 square miles (7459 square kilometers), population 399,802

2

city and port at head of Cork Harbor, Ireland population 198,582

Note: The city of Cork is the capital of the county of Cork.