Definition of 'cord'

cord

(kɔːʳd )

Word forms: plural cords

1. variable noun

Cord is strong, thick string.

The door had been tied shut with a length of nylon cord.

...gilded cords and tassels.

Synonyms: rope, line, string, twine More Synonyms of cord

2. variable noun

Cord is wire covered in rubber or plastic which connects electrical equipment to an electricity supply.

...electrical cord.

We used so many lights that we needed four extension cords.

3. plural noun [oft a pair of NOUN]

Cords are trousers made of corduroy.

He had bare feet, a T-shirt and cords on.

4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

Cord means made of corduroy.

...a pair of cord trousers.

5. See also spinal cord, umbilical cord, vocal cords

Video: pronunciation of
cord

cord in British English

(kɔːd )

noun

string or thin rope made of several twisted strands

a length of woven or twisted strands of silk, etc, sewn on clothing or used as a belt

a ribbed fabric, esp corduroy

any influence that binds or restrains

5. US and Canadian

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

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

verb (transitive)

to bind or furnish with a cord or cords

to stack (wood) in cords

Derived forms

corder (ˈcorder)

noun

cordlike (ˈcordˌlike)

adjective

Word origin

C13: from Old French corde, from Latin chorda cord, from Greek khordē; see chord1

cord in American English

(kɔrd )

noun

a thick string or thin rope

any force acting as a tie or bond

a measure of wood cut for fuel, equal to 128 cubic feet (3.6 m3), as arranged in a pile 8 feet (2.4 m) long, 4 feet (1.2 m) high, and 4 feet (1.2 m) wide

cord in American English

(kɔrd)

noun

a string or thin rope made of several strands braided, twisted, or woven together

2. Electricity

a small, flexible, insulated cable

a ribbed fabric, esp. corduroy

a cordlike rib on the surface of cloth

any influence that binds or restrains

cord of marriage

6. Anatomy

a cordlike structure

the spinal cord

umbilical cord

7. Abbreviation: cd, cd.

a unit of volume used chiefly for fuel wood, now generally equal to 128 cu. ft. (3.6 cu. m), usually specified as 8 ft. long, 4 ft. wide, and 4 ft. high (2.4 m × 1.2 m × 1.2 m)

a hangman's rope

transitive verb

to bind or fasten with a cord or cords

10.

to pile or stack up (wood) in cords

11.

to furnish with a cord

Derived forms

corder

noun

cordlike

adjective

Word origin

[1250–1300; ME coord(e) ‹ AF, OF corde ‹ L chorda ‹ Gk chorde᷄ gut; confused in part of its history with chord1]

Examples of 'cord' in a sentence
cord

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

By the time they got there the implement had damaged her vocal cords and reached her upper stomach.US sources say she got sick and decided to rest her vocal cords. Take cord up the blind through rings and leave hanging. Radio control was substituted for the umbilical cord cable which could become entangled.The nylon cord with which the family were bound was of a common variety.Measure and cut the cord as before.The disease strikes when nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord stop working. Also, to bind tightly with cords.He's had an op on his vocal cords.People think the worst thing about a spinal cord injury is the fact your legs don't work.