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

By the end of his run, all that separated James from gold was one final jump, a backside double cork 1620, a trick so devastatingly difficult that James said it’s never been completed in Olympic competition. —Zak Keefer, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026

This model even makes use of the bed frame itself, lining one of the support posts with cork to serve as a pinboard to display photos and memorable trinkets. —Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026

Verb

Peppers with smooth skins will be less hot than peppers that display corking. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025

In 2012, Superstorm Sandy inundated the oldest and lowest stations in Manhattan and inspired innovations like an inflatable plug big enough to seal off an entire tunnel and keep floodwater corked and contained. —Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2025

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.