cattle

American  

[kat-l] / ˈkæt l /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. bovine animals, especially domesticated members of the genus Bos.

2. Bible. such animals together with other domesticated quadrupeds, as horses, swine, etc.

3. Disparaging. human beings, especially in a large, unruly crowd.

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cattle British  

/ ˈkætəl /

noun

1. bovid mammals of the tribe Bovini (bovines), esp those of the genus Bos

2. Also called: domestic cattle.  any domesticated bovine mammals, esp those of the species Bos taurus (domestic ox)

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Other Word Forms

• cattleless adjective

Etymology

Origin of cattle

1175–1225; Middle English catel < Old North French: (personal) property < Medieval Latin capitāle wealth; capital ¹

Example Sentences

Between daily longhorn cattle drives, rodeos, live music, and plenty of low-key ways to relax, there’s always something going on.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

Darrell George Crofts was born Aug. 14, 1938, in Cisco, Texas, where his father was a cattle rancher.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Unlike most cattle, she has lived a long life in a complex and stimulating environment.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

Ranchers in Canada are aggressively building up their cattle herds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Nhamo watched with amazement as a herd of cattle was led to a cliff jutting over the water.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

Related Words

• herd
• oxen