cowl

1 of 2

noun

ˈkau̇(-ə)l 

1

a

: a hood or long hooded cloak especially of a monk

b

: a draped neckline on a woman's garment

2

a

: a chimney covering designed to improve the draft

b

: the top portion of the front part of an automobile body forward of the two front doors to which are attached the windshield and instrument board

c

: cowling

cowl

2 of 2

verb

cowled; cowling; cowls

transitive verb

: to cover with or as if with a cowl

Examples of cowl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Her look consisted of a cowl neck top featuring a high neckline, as well as a pleated midi skirt. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 16 Oct. 2024

Walking the red carpet at the New York Film Festival screening of the film at Alice Tully Hall of the Lincoln Center, Gomez sported an all-black, Vera Wang dress that featured a slight cowl neckline and a massive bow on the back. —Michelle Lee, People.com, 30 Sep. 2024

Verb

All of a sudden there was a loud pop and a blaze of fire shot past my window as the cowling pulsed under pressure. —Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 11 Sep. 2024

The cowling is the protective cover over the plane's engine. —Noah Osborne, NBC News, 8 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English cowle, from Old English cugele, from Late Latin cuculla monk's hood, from Latin cucullus hood

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1536, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cowl

• cowl-neck

Kids Definition

cowl

noun

ˈkau̇(ə)l

1

: a monk's hood or long hooded cloak

2

: the top part of an automobile body forward of the two front doors to which are attached the windshield and instrument panel

3

: cowling

cowled

ˈkau̇ld

adjective

Biographical Definition

Cowl

biographical name

ˈkau̇(-ə)l 

Jane 1883–1950 originally Grace Bailey American actress