shuttlecock

1 of 2

noun

shut·​tle·​cock ˈshə-tᵊl-ˌkäk 

: a lightweight conical object with a rounded often rubber-covered nose that is used in badminton

Illustration of shuttlecock

shuttlecock

2 of 2

verb

shuttlecocked; shuttlecocking; shuttlecocks

transitive verb

: to send or toss to and fro : bandy

Examples of shuttlecock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Long before the shuttlecocks landed at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art — and before, even, Henry Moore’s sculptures beautified its lawn — another Kansas City park, for a brief two weeks, captured the eyes of art lovers worldwide. —Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2025

In 1994, when the Nelson’s now iconic shuttlecocks, created by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, were placed on the north and south lawns, public reaction ranged from delight to disdain. —Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2025

Although now widely embraced as a symbol of Kansas City, the shuttlecocks didn’t quite make sense at first. —Courtney Lane, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2025

The flakes are as grand and as intricate as shuttlecocks. —Joseph O’Neill, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1522, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1687, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shuttlecock

• aftershock
• antiknock
• arawak
• hollyhock
• interlock
• isopach
• manioc
• tomahawk
• weathercock
• alcock
• beanstalk
• bedrock

Kids Definition

shuttlecock

noun

shut·​tle·​cock

ˈshət-ᵊl-ˌkäk

: a small and very light cone-shaped object that is used in playing badminton