cord

[ kawrd ]

noun

1. a string or thin rope made of several strands braided, twisted, or woven together.
2. Electricity. a small, flexible, insulated cable.
3. a ribbed fabric, especially corduroy.
4. a cordlike rib on the surface of cloth.
5. any influence that binds or restrains:

   cord of marriage.

6. Anatomy. a cordlike structure:

   the spinal cord;

   umbilical cord.

7. a unit of volume used chiefly for fuel wood, now generally equal to 128 cu. ft. (3.6 cu. m), usually specified as 8 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 4 feet high (2.4 m × 1.2 m × 1.2 meters). : cd, cd.
8. a hangman's rope.

verb (used with object)

1. to bind or fasten with a cord or cords.
2. to pile or stack up (wood) in cords.
3. to furnish with a cord.

cord

/ kɔːd /

noun

1. string or thin rope made of several twisted strands
2. a length of woven or twisted strands of silk, etc, sewn on clothing or used as a belt
3. a ribbed fabric, esp corduroy
4. any influence that binds or restrains
5. a flexible insulated electric cable, used esp to connect appliances to mains Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)flex
6. anatomy any part resembling a string or rope

   the spinal cord

7. a unit of volume for measuring cut wood, equal to 128 cubic feet

verb

1. to bind or furnish with a cord or cords
2. to stack (wood) in cords

Derived Forms

• ˈcorder, noun
• ˈcordˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• corder noun
• cordlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cord¹

1250–1300; Middle English coord ( e ) < Anglo-French, Old French corde < Latin chorda < Greek chordḗ gut; confused in part of its history with chord ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cord¹

C13: from Old French corde, from Latin chorda cord, from Greek khordē; see chord ¹

Example Sentences

Folic acid is particularly important in early pregnancy, aiding proper development of the baby's brain, skull and spinal cord.

From BBC

Mr Bennett was paralysed in 2018 after suffering a spinal cord injury, but said he still carried his experiences prior to leaving the armed forces in 1992.

From BBC

Mr Hibbert was left with a spinal cord injury and Ms Hibbert suffered severe brain damage as a result of the bombing.

From BBC

As customers have turned to streaming services, they are continuing to cut the cord, leading to major concerns for legacy TV businesses.

From Los Angeles Times

He tied their hands using ligatures and electrical cord cut from a Nintendo game box in the room.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fiber
• string
• twine