noun
cog
kog
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.”
noun
1
A tooth on a gear wheel, or the wheel itself.
"One of the cogs had worn down and the machine kept jamming."
2
An unimportant, replaceable part of a much bigger system, especially used of a person.
"He felt like just another cog in the corporate machine."
"No single soldier saw the whole plan — each was a cog in the operation."
How to use cog
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLiterally a gear tooth; figuratively, a small, replaceable part of something much larger.
Common pairings
a cog in the machine
cog in the wheel
cogwheel
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Word forms
- Plural
- cogs
- Third person singular
- cogs
- Past tense
- cogged
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.
