Holstein

American  

[hohl-stahyn, -steen, hohl-shtahyn] / ˈhoʊl staɪn, -stin, ˈhoʊlˌʃtaɪn /

noun

1. Also called Holstein-Friesian.  one of a breed of black-and-white dairy cattle, raised originally in North Holland and Friesland, that yields large quantities of milk having a low content of butterfat.

2. a region in N Germany, at the base of the peninsula of Jutland: a former duchy.

---

Holstein ¹ British  

/ ˈhəʊlstaɪn /

noun

1. the usual US and Canadian name for Friesian 1

---

Holstein ² British  

/ ˈhɔlʃtain /

noun

1. a region of N Germany, in S Schleswig-Holstein: in early times a German duchy of Saxony; became a duchy of Denmark in 1474; finally incorporated into Prussia in 1866

---

Etymology

Origin of Holstein

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Qatar could draw on its experience of airlifting 4,000 Holstein dairy cows during a 2017 trade blockade.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

An unconventional Deniz Undav toe-poke put Stuttgart on track for a 3-0 win at Holstein Kiel on Wednesday and the semi-finals of the German Cup.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

He was left out of the squad for the Bundesliga game against Holstein Kiel on Saturday due to the ongoing rumours.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2025

Holstein says, “When Kelsey was discussing that seed of this idea, I think the question that came up for me was, ‘What happens to joy as we get older?’

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 19, 2024

I picked out a fabric that looked like a black-and-white Holstein cow and a red bandanna print for the pocket and straps.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry