1
: a cage or small enclosure (as for poultry)
also : a small building for housing poultry
2
a
: a confined area
b
: jail

coop

2 of 3

verb

cooped; cooping; coops

transitive verb

1
: to confine in a restricted and often crowded area
usually used with up
children cooped up in the house all day
2
: to place or keep in a coop : pen
often used with up

co-op

3 of 3

noun (2)

ˈkō-ˌäp How to pronounce co-op (audio)
kō-ˈäp

Examples of coop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Predator Precautions Maybe one of the most important materials to source when setting up a coop: the wire mesh known as hardware cloth (not chicken wire). Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024 Last, but definitely not least: the resort-worthy grounds, which overlook picturesque city lights and ocean vistas, and host some 140 fruit trees, several spots ideal for al fresco lounging and entertaining, an infinity-edge swimming pool and even a chicken coop. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2024 But if eclipses are a reminder of people’s place in a vast universe, weather complications in chasing them – which once included trying to watch an eclipse in Georgia next to a chicken coop in the rain – were also a reminder to him of all that is beyond our human control. Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024 Even a trip to the restroom is a delight, as the sound of chickens clucking in the coop above the bathrooms welcomes you in the door. Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 19 Feb. 2024 There are chicken coops, two vegetable gardens, a convenience store... art and jewelry studios, a medical clinic and a chapel. Lucy Tompkins Eli Durst, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2024 The Buried Secrets actress then placed the pumpkin on the floor of her chicken coop where several of her chickens gathered around to peck away at the edible Halloween decor. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 19 Oct. 2023 With a large grassy field, coffee kiosk, soap and gift shop, chicken coop and various gardens, the space offers a respite from the city — or even just from a stressful day. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2024 This year, Victoria surprised David, 48, with a very special gift — a coop full of chickens. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 31 Dec. 2023
Verb
Play it coop with up to 4 friends, or go alone in an adventure of hack’n’slash rampage, with a pinch of rogue-lite, and some permadeath. Jacob Siegal, BGR, 31 May 2022 In fact, with the rise in the number and dollar value of luxury transactions in 2021, the ratio of resale condo sales to coop sales over $4 million rose to the highest since 2008. John Walkup, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2022
Noun
Fair housing laws require housing providers, including co-ops, to make reasonable accommodations when a disability inhibits a person’s use and enjoyment of a dwelling. Jill Terreri Ramos, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024 John Spahi has several years to dissolve any ownership stake at Ocean Towers and can never buy into the co-op again. James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024 Some 25 women in the co-op are the sole breadwinners for their families. Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Apr. 2024 In the week since its release, Content Warning—a co-op horror game about trying to film monsters (and survive) to get views on a faux YouTube—has been a runaway hit for developer Landfall Games. Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 10 Apr. 2024 Earlier this month, the co-op members gathered to hear from him. Journal Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2024 Here in New Mexico and elsewhere, some rural co-ops are taking the initiative to build microgrids that can provide power when the larger grid goes down. Eric MacK, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024 These careers rely on apprenticeships, co-op programs, and other hands-on learning approaches that allow students to work and earn money while learning the trade. Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 27 Mar. 2024 The co-op that organized the show — the Société Anonyme des Artistes Peintres, Sculpteurs, Graveurs — had formed the year before, primarily for financial reasons: Artists wanted to determine how and when their work was exhibited, as well as sold, to a burgeoning market of new collectors. Emily Labarge, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English cupe; akin to Old English cȳpe basket

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1861, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near coop

Cite this Entry

“Coop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coop. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

coop

1 of 3 noun
: a cage or small enclosure or building for housing poultry or small animals

coop

2 of 3 verb
: to place or keep in or as if in a coop

co-op

3 of 3 noun
ˈkō-ˌäp,
kō-ˈäp

More from Merriam-Webster on coop

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!