ox

noun

\ ˈäks

plural oxen\ ˈäk-sən

\ also ox

Definition of ox

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a domestic bovine mammal (Bos taurus) broadly : a bovine mammal a team of oxen

2 : an adult castrated male domestic ox

ox-

combining form

variants: or oxo-

Definition of ox- (Entry 2 of 2)

: oxygen oxacillin

Examples of ox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Deuteronomy 25:4 prohibits the muzzling of an ox that is threshing. — Karen Swallow Prior, Washington Post, "Fallen NFL star Michael Vick speaks at Liberty University about dog fighting and his faith," 29 Jan. 2018 Of course, the ox that’s being gored here is the unsecured creditors—the alleged harassment victims, the trade creditors—$23 million will come entirely out of their recoveries in the case. — Jonathan Randles, WSJ, "Weinstein Co. Cuts Deal Price by $23 Million to Close Sale to Lantern," 22 June 2018 Further Reading Garmin’s Vivosmart 4 combines pulse-ox and a week of battery life for $129 Female health tracking Earlier this year, Fitbit's menstrual cycle tracking became available to all through the Fitbit mobile app. — Valentina Palladino, Ars Technica, "Fitbit Charge 3 review: Peppering a fitness tracker with smartwatch powers," 12 Oct. 2018 The quick-change comic hopscotched through a half-dozen supporting roles, constantly contorting her tall frame to evoke villainous McDoon or that bloodthirsty ox. — Lee Williams, OregonLive.com, "'Trail to Oregon' gleefully rejects historical accuracy (review)," 23 Apr. 2018 Image Donald Hall, a former poet laureate of the United States who found a universe of meaning in the apples, ox carts and ordinary folk of his beloved rural New England, died on Saturday at his home in Wilmot, N.H. — David Kirby, New York Times, "Donald Hall, a Poet Laureate of the Rural Life, Is Dead at 89," 24 June 2018 Jeremiah, for example, wore an ox yoke around his neck to symbolize Israel’s impending oppression under the Babylonian Empire. — Rachel Held Evans, Washington Post, "The Bible is literature for the resistance," 12 July 2018 This time, Blake arrived at the mansion riding an ox, which was meant to signify the strength of his feelings (seriously). — Nick Schwartz, For The Win, "Bachelorette Power Rankings: Did Becca eliminate the wrong guys in Week 1?," 29 May 2018 That says a lot for director Greg Shilling's steering, and the skill sets of his actors, some of whom play talking bison, a British lobster and a murderous ox. — Lee Williams, OregonLive.com, "'Trail to Oregon' gleefully rejects historical accuracy (review)," 23 Apr. 2018

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

History and Etymology for ox

Noun

Middle English, from Old English oxa; akin to Old High German ohso ox, Sanskrit ukṣā bull, and perhaps to Sanskrit ukṣati he moistens, Greek hygros wet — more at humor

Combining form

French, from oxygène

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