cowl

noun \ ˈkau̇(-ə)l \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of cowl

1 a : a hood or long hooded cloak especially of a monk

b : a draped neckline on a woman's garment

2 a : a chimney covering designed to improve the draft

b : the top portion of the front part of an automobile body forward of the two front doors to which are attached the windshield and instrument board

c : cowling

See cowl defined for English-language learners

See cowl defined for kids

Recent Examples of cowl from the Web

Once the party scene faded away and Bruce got closer to death in the real world, Bruce saw a hallucination of the adult version of Batman, cape, cowl, growly voice and all.

— sydney bucksbaum, The Hollywood Reporter, "DC TV Watch: Cress Williams Breaks Down All Those 'Black Lightning' Deaths," 9 Mar. 2018
In the jury box, a young woman in a cowl-neck sweater hugged herself and blinked away tears.

— maureen o'connor, The Cut, "‘You’re Evil And You’re Getting Pleasure From This’: Mother Breaks Down at the Nanny Trial," 2 Mar. 2018
Deals range from half off of a pair of stylish boots to 30% off a Free People cowl neck pullover that's sure to keep you nice and toasty.

— lauren rearick, Teen Vogue, "Nordstrom Announces Massive Winter Sale," 18 Feb. 2018
The fan cowl in front, the thrust reverser in back and the cowling in between.

— lawrence specker, AL.com, "Foley's UTC plant delivers first 'neo' engines to Airbus in Mobile," 6 Feb. 2018
Kohl's: Select Nike cowl neck pullovers and fleece joggers are 25% off at Kohl's.

— halie lesavage, Glamour, "All the Post-Holiday Sales Worth Shopping This Year," 26 Dec. 2017
Over the course of the class, participants learn to cast on, the knit and purl stitches, how to bind off and seam up a cowl.

— Lake County News-Sun, "Calendar," 18 Sep. 2017
Over the course of the class, participants learn to cast on, the knit and purl stitches, how to bind off and seam up a cowl.

— Lake County News-Sun, "Calendar," 18 Sep. 2017
Over the course of the class, participants learn to cast on, the knit and purl stitches, how to bind off and seam up a cowl.

— Lake County News-Sun, "Calendar," 18 Sep. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of cowl

Middle English cowle, from Old English cugele, from Late Latin cuculla monk's hood, from Latin cucullus hood

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

cowl

verb

Definition of cowl

transitive verb

: to cover with or as if with a cowl

Recent Examples of cowl from the Web

In 2016, an American Airlines flight from Phoenix to San Francisco turned back after part of the engine cowling fell off.

— maggie astor, New York Times, "Engine Cover Blows Off on United Airlines Flight," 13 Feb. 2018
Cowling made a 3-pointer for a 57-52 lead with 6:54 left to play.

— elliott almond, The Mercury News, "No. 10 Stanford holds off Cal to stay in first place," 16 Feb. 2017

First Known Use of cowl

1536

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Cowl

biographical name \ ˈkau̇(-ə)l \

Definition of Cowl

Jane 1883–1950 originally Grace Bailey American actress

COWL Defined for English Language Learners

cowl

noun

Definition of cowl for English Language Learners

: a loose piece of clothing with a hood that a monk wears over other clothes; also : the hood itself
: a covering for a chimney that controls the way smoke flows out