cowbell

noun

cow·​bell ˈkau̇-ˌbel 

: a bell hung around the neck of a cow to make a sound by which the cow can be located

Examples of cowbell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The longest track on the album at more than eight minutes, it’s built around a relentless two-note bass line and dangerously cowbell-adjacent percussion and features a whirlwind of samples and sweetly noisy meltdowns. — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 19 Aug. 2026

The 1,300 residents of Kandersteg, in Switzerland’s Bern canton, live amid a quintessential Alpine landscape of sharp peaks, white glaciers, steep green valleys and the distant sound of cowbells. — ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

The 2026 Video Music Awards might be in for a little more cowbell this year. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2026

In this peaceful spot, there’s nothing to hear but cowbells, baa-ing sheep and the breeze. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cowbell

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

Kids Definition

cowbell

noun

cow·​bell ˈkau̇-ˌbel 

: a bell hung about the neck of a cow to indicate its whereabouts