cowl

noun \ ˈkau̇(-ə)l \

|Updated on: 20 Jul 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

Those dark-cowl stories have often been celebrated as a welcome evolutionary super-leap forward.

— noah berlatsky, The Verge, "The best superhero stories admit that superheroes are ridiculous," 11 July 2018
Her dress' cowl neckline was somewhat reminiscent of Meghan's collarbone-bearing Givenchy wedding gown.

— USA TODAY, "Angelina Jolie channels Duchess Meghan with gray ensemble and fascinator at royal event," 28 June 2018
The interior also features new colors, and a lower cowl makes for an airier cabin, as does the thinner instrument panel.

— joe lorio, Car and Driver, "2019 Nissan Altima: New Engines and All-Wheel Drive," 29 Mar. 2018
Taking a cue perhaps from the elegance of Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, Jolie added a pair of ivory gloves to match her cowl-neck Ralph & Russo dress.

— calin van paris, Vogue, "Angelina Jolie Brings Hollywood-Royalty Hair to St. Paul’s Cathedral in London," 28 June 2018
The actress and director, 43, picked a custom Ralph & Russo pale gray dress with a cowl neck and matching gloves, spicing up the outfit with a gold brooch and silver purse.

— stephanie petit, PEOPLE.com, "Angelina Jolie Takes a Cue from Meghan Markle in Fascinator, Off-the-Shoulder Dress for Royal Event," 28 June 2018
Angelina stunned in a pale gray, custom Ralph & Russo dress with a cowl neck and matching gloves.

— kayleigh roberts, Marie Claire, "Angelina Jolie Just Channeled Meghan Markle's Royal Style," 28 June 2018
But the majority of the front engine cowl — the entire outer barrel, the aft bulkhead and the inner barrel forward of the containment ring — were knocked off the Southwest engine, investigators said.

— bart jansen, USA TODAY, "Investigators find two pieces of broken fan blade inside Southwest Airlines engine," 3 May 2018
The Hot Wheels Darth Vader car, for instance, uses his face cowl as an air intake.

— gregory schmidt, New York Times, "Hot Wheels Hits the Road to Reach Its Fans," 20 May 2018

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

cowled; cowling; cowls

transitive verb

: to cover with or as if with a cowl

Recent Examples of cowl from the Web

Fortunately, down on the stage as fans cheered and reached out, the performers kept their cool – even while retelling one of the most emotional stories of all time, complete with glitter, gold and giant cowled coats.

— randee dawn, latimes.com, "The performers of Easter's 'Jesus Christ Superstar' had their own hallelujah moments," 14 June 2018
There is the amazing gold bead dress worn by Tina Turner, the purple cowled dress worn by Grace Jones, and Elle MacPherson’s wedding dress.

— luke leitch, Vogue, "Take a First Look at London’s Azzedine Alaïa Exhibition, “The Couturier”," 9 May 2018
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