coxswain

1 of 2

noun

cox·​swain ˈkäk-sən How to pronounce coxswain (audio)
-ˌswān
Synonyms of coxswainnext
1
: a sailor who has charge of a ship's boat and its crew and who usually steers
2
: a steersman of a racing shell who usually directs the rowers

coxswain

2 of 2

verb

coxswained; coxswaining; coxswains

transitive verb

: to direct as coxswain

intransitive verb

: to act as coxswain

Examples of coxswain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Like the others, the coxswain is also in red and blue stripes. Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 27 May 2026 For once, everyone is more or less rowing the boat in the same direction, with a determined coxswain at the front. Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
Rowing Blazers was created by author, archaeologist and former U.S. national team coxswain Jack Carlson in 2017. Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 5 June 2025 Watching her granddaughter Hannah pitch through a tough inning of softball or her granddaughter Lily coxswain for the rowing team was a marvel. Cecile Richards, Glamour, 11 May 2018 See All Example Sentences for coxswain

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English cokswayne, from cok cockboat (a small boat) + swain servant

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1873, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of coxswain was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coxswain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coxswain. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

coxswain

noun
cox·​swain
ˈkäk-sən
-ˌswān
1
: a sailor who has charge of a ship's boat and its crew
2
: a person who steers a racing shell
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