cog
Cog (noun) means a tooth on a gear wheel, or the wheel itself. Example: “One of the cogs had worn down and the machine kept jamming.”
How to use cog
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLiterally a gear tooth; figuratively, a small, replaceable part of something much larger.
Word forms
cogged past tense, cogged past tense, cogs plural, cogs plural, cogs plural, cogs singular, cogs singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
One of the _____ had worn down and the machine kept jamming.
Etymology
From Middle English cogge, probably from Old Norse, related to a word for a lump or swelling — the sense of "gear tooth" likely comes from the tooth's rounded shape.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “cog” mean?
The word “cog” means a tooth on a gear wheel, or the wheel itself. In plain terms, literally a gear tooth; figuratively, a small, replaceable part of something much larger.
How do you pronounce “cog”?
“Cog” is pronounced kog (/kɔɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “cog” in a sentence?
Here is “cog” used in a sentence: “One of the cogs had worn down and the machine kept jamming.”
What part of speech is “cog”?
“Cog” is a noun.
Where does the word “cog” come from?
The word “cog” comes from Middle English. From Middle English cogge, probably from Old Norse, related to a word for a lump or swelling — the sense of "gear tooth" likely comes from the tooth's rounded shape.
How many meanings does “cog” have?
“Cog” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tooth on a gear wheel, or the wheel itself.