cowl

1 of 2

noun

ˈkau̇(-ə)l 

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

cowl

2 of 2

verb

cowled; cowling; cowls

transitive verb

: to cover with or as if with a cowl

Examples of cowl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

At one point during the bedlam, a firework appears to be set off in the windshield wiper cowl, with sparks flying into the cruiser's windshield. —Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026

It's made of soft mulberry silk and features a classy cowl neckline complemented by a criss-cross back strap. —Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2026

Verb

The boat is described as a 40- to 43-foot Formula Boat, possibly a Crossover (Allsport and Supersport models), with quad Mercury L6 Verados, and two-tone cowling paint, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the agency investigating the deadly crash. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026

Efinger climbed into the plane’s engine cowling as the engine was still running, the complaint stated. —David Chiu, PEOPLE, 2 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1536, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cowl

• cowl-neck

Rhymes for cowl

• foul
• foule
• fowl
• growl
• howl
• jowl
• owl
• prowl
• scowl
• afoul
• wildfowl
• waterfowl

Kids Definition

cowl

noun

ˈkau̇(ə)l

1

: a monk's hood or long hooded cloak

2

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

3

: cowling

cowled

ˈkau̇ld

adjective

Biographical Definition

Cowl

biographical name

ˈkau̇(-ə)l 

Jane 1883–1950 originally Grace Bailey American actress