noun
corral
kuh-RAL
Corral (noun) means a fenced enclosure for keeping livestock, especially horses or cattle. Example: “The cowboys herded the cattle into the corral.”
noun
1
A fenced enclosure for keeping livestock, especially horses or cattle.
"The cowboys herded the cattle into the corral."
verb
1
To round up and confine animals or people.
"Volunteers corralled the stray dogs into a shelter."
"She tried to corral her kids before dinner."
How to use corral
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA pen for animals, or the act of herding something (animals, people, ideas) into one place.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "coral," the marine organism/reef material — they're unrelated words that just sound alike.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
horse corral
corral the cattle
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Word forms
- Plural
- corrals
- Third person singular
- corrals
- Past tense
- corraled, corralled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cowboys herded the cattle into the _____.
Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish corral — the same root gives Afrikaans-derived English "kraal".
Synonyms
View more →
cow pen
cattle pen
Frequently asked questions
What does “corral” mean?
The word “corral” means a fenced enclosure for keeping livestock, especially horses or cattle. In plain terms, a pen for animals, or the act of herding something (animals, people, ideas) into one place.
How do you pronounce “corral”?
“Corral” is pronounced kuh-RAL (/kəˈɹæl/ in IPA).
How do you use “corral” in a sentence?
Here is “corral” used in a sentence: “The cowboys herded the cattle into the corral.”
What part of speech is “corral”?
Depending on how it is used, “corral” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “corral” come from?
The word “corral” comes from Spanish. Borrowed from Spanish corral — the same root gives Afrikaans-derived English "kraal".
How many meanings does “corral” have?
“Corral” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fenced enclosure for keeping livestock, especially horses or cattle.
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