ox

1 of 2

noun

ˈäks 

plural oxen ˈäk-sən  also ox

1

: a domestic bovine mammal (Bos taurus)

broadly : a bovine mammal

a team of oxen

2

: an adult castrated male domestic ox

ox-

2 of 2

combining form

variants or oxo-

: oxygen

oxacillin

Examples of ox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the center, a small stream ox-bowed its way along while chasing the sun through alders and gone-to-seed pastures. — Tom Huggler, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026

There are quick motifs of Sơn Tùng M-TP riding an ox, paying tribute to the Bay Nui Ox Racing Festival in An Giang province. — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

Somebody's ox is going to get gored here. — Jim Defede, CBS News, 31 May 2026

At the plate, the ox went 3-for-3 with a double and a triple. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

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 entry 1

Combining form

French, from oxygène

First Known Use

Noun

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

Phrases Containing ox

• musk ox
• ox gall

Rhymes for ox

• balks
• blocks
• blocs
• box
• chalks
• chocks
• clocks
• cocks
• cox
• crocks
• docks
• docs

Kids Definition

ox

noun

ˈäks 

plural oxen ˈäk-sən  also ox

1

: a common large domesticated bovine mammal which is kept for milk, draft, and meat and of which the female is a cow and the male a bull

especially : an adult castrated male

2

: any various related bovine mammals (as the buffalo)