cowbell

noun

cow·​bell ˈkau̇-ˌbel How to pronounce cowbell (audio)
: a bell hung around the neck of a cow to make a sound by which the cow can be located

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Burns gave Spann four rings of the cowbell for his success as a meteorologist, the highest honor on his long-running show. Jeremy Gray | Jgray@al.com, al, 13 Jan. 2023 From breaking in the cowbell sketch to his work on The Tonight Show, the constant (besides breaking) has been music. Vulture, 4 Aug. 2022 At Citi Field, a die-hard Met fan named Eddie Boison rings a cowbell at critical moments. Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2023 Texas Tech’s looked like pirate flags as a nod to his fascination with pirates, and the Rebels’ decals said ‘Mike’ with the ‘I’ in the shape of a cowbell for Mississippi State’s tradition of using them at games. Dallas News, 29 Dec. 2022 Silver Christmas bells traditionally used as ornaments on trees and wreaths and nestled into garlands will make an appearance in a more organic brass cowbell shape. Kirby Adams, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2022 For 2022, decorative bells will make an appearance in a more organic brass cowbell shape and in a multitude of sizes. Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 22 Nov. 2022 At the Republican Club kiosk at Leisure World, a woman rings a cowbell adorned with Trump’s face whenever someone buys a souvenir. Tyrone Beasonstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2022 Students carrying backpacks paced across the center of campus, while a small group sang African lyrics from Ghanaian and Nigerian songs above ancient rhythms banged on an apentemma drum and a Dawuro bell, that sounds similar to a cowbell. Clarence Williams, Washington Post, 4 Nov. 2022 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cowbell was in 1625

Dictionary Entries Near cowbell

Cite this Entry

“Cowbell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cowbell. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

cowbell

noun
cow·​bell ˈkau̇-ˌbel How to pronounce cowbell (audio)
: a bell hung about the neck of a cow to indicate its whereabouts
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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