milk cow

noun

1. a cow that is raised for its milk rather than for beef.
2. Informal. a source of easily gained income; profitable venture:

   The new subsidiary turns out to be a real milk cow.

Word History and Origins

Origin of milk cow¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

In the “dairy parlors” that commercial farms use to milk cows, floors are often cleaned using high-pressure water sprayers, which could aerosolize the virus, he notes.

From Science Magazine

This week, they began sending volunteers to milk cows, pick tomatoes and cucumbers and plant potatoes at abandoned farms in the south.

From Seattle Times

Mr. Mendoza, whose family in Peru owned a few milk cows, sheep and mules, first heard about the sheepherding opportunity from a friend.

From New York Times

Travolta’s character, Bud, at one point remarks that when he was born, his father sold a milk cow to pay the physician who delivered him.

From Washington Post

She paid her way through college by raising and selling a herd of eight milk cows, yearlings and heifer calves.

From New York Times