coxswain

1 of 2

noun

cox·​swain ˈkäk-sən How to pronounce coxswain (audio)
-ˌswān
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
Throughout the race, the coxswain—who sits at the front of the boat—motivates the crew, steers the course and checks technique along the way. Caitlin MacGregor, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 When Paris hosted the Games in 1900, a pair of Dutch rowers asked a French boy to be their coxswain. Jenna West, The Athletic, 6 Aug. 2024
Verb
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

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1928, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of coxswain was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coxswain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coxswain. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!