1
: a person who prepares food for eating
2
: a technical or industrial process comparable to cooking food
also
: a substance so processed
cooked; cooking; cooks
1
: to prepare (food) for eating by a heating process
Cook the vegetables over low heat for 10 minutes.
The fish was cooked in a wine sauce.
He cooked dinner for his guests.
3
: to alter (something, such as records) with the intention of deceiving or misleading : falsify, doctor
The point is that every country's numbers are the result of a specific set of testing and accounting regimes. Everyone is cooking the data, one way or another.—
Alexis C. Madrigal
see also cook the books
Alexis C. Madrigal4
: to subject (something) to the action of heat or fire during preparation
Agents discovered a recipe for cooking meth at his lab …—Andrew E. Serwer
Andrew E. Serwer1
: to prepare food for eating especially by means of heat
We're too busy to cook tonight.
I enjoy cooking for friends.
2
: to undergo the action of being cooked
The rice is cooking now.
4
: to perform, do, or proceed well
The jazz quartet was cooking along.
The party cooked right through the night.
Synonyms
Examples of cook in a Sentence
Noun
the hearty meals prepared by the cook at summer camp
Verb
Cook the onions over low heat.
She cooked a great meal.
The fish was cooked in a white wine sauce.
Carrots can be cooked, but they are often eaten raw.
We're too busy to cook at home.
He enjoys cooking on the weekends.
The rice is still cooking, but it will be ready in 10 minutes.
There's something cooking, but he won't say what.
Recent Examples on the WebLos Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Food myths come from many sources, and American cooks have swallowed lots of them.
—Julia Moskin, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024
My parents were both great cooks who split the cooking.
—Bon Appétit Contributor, Bon Appétit, 4 Apr. 2024
Bamboo cutting boards offer all sorts of advantages to home cooks.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Black beans were being improperly cooled, and there was an open drink was on the cook’s line prep area.
—Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 29 Mar. 2024
If food for a large gathering was needed, the seminary would cater or bring in cooks for the event.
—James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2024
His mother, Beatriz Contreras Xan, was a frugal cook, but could work magic with modest ingredients, creating a soup out of nothing more than tilapia heads and bones.
—Shane Mitchell, Saveur, 28 Mar. 2024
There's a new cook in the kitchen, but don't freak out
After 10 years with Levy Restaurants, IMS recently named Aramark Sports and Entertainment as its new concessions provider.
—The Indianapolis Star, 28 Mar. 2024
Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Add baby broccoli to the pot and cook 3 to 4 minutes or until crisp tender.
—Yakir Levy, Orange County Register, 11 Apr. 2024
Add the onion and bell pepper and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until soft.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
In order to pay Linda back, Paulette promises to cook her chicken with peppers — a dish that was Giulio’s specialty before his demise, and thus carries the taste of trauma for mother and daughter alike.
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
Transfer skillet to oven and cook, uncovered, until chicken is cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.
—Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
This celebrated beachside restaurant at Playa de Vega does a great line in whole fish (try the virrey, a firm-fleshed local species) cooked over coals or a la plancha.
—Paul Richardson, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Apr. 2024
Butter: For richness and flavor, and to help cook the onions.
—Liv Dansky, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2024
When the bacon is almost cooked, pour off the liquid rendered fat into a separate container.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2024
Noun
Food lovers and cooks will have plenty to explore at this year’s Los Angeles Times Festival of Books April 20 and 21 on the USC campus.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Food myths come from many sources, and American cooks have swallowed lots of them.
—Julia Moskin, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024
My parents were both great cooks who split the cooking.
—Bon Appétit Contributor, Bon Appétit, 4 Apr. 2024
Bamboo cutting boards offer all sorts of advantages to home cooks.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Black beans were being improperly cooled, and there was an open drink was on the cook’s line prep area.
—Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 29 Mar. 2024
If food for a large gathering was needed, the seminary would cater or bring in cooks for the event.
—James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2024
His mother, Beatriz Contreras Xan, was a frugal cook, but could work magic with modest ingredients, creating a soup out of nothing more than tilapia heads and bones.
—Shane Mitchell, Saveur, 28 Mar. 2024
There's a new cook in the kitchen, but don't freak out
After 10 years with Levy Restaurants, IMS recently named Aramark Sports and Entertainment as its new concessions provider.
—The Indianapolis Star, 28 Mar. 2024
Verb
Other pictures saw her spending time with her kids and enjoying hobbies such as being outdoors and cooking.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Add baby broccoli to the pot and cook 3 to 4 minutes or until crisp tender.
—Yakir Levy, Orange County Register, 11 Apr. 2024
Add the onion and bell pepper and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until soft.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
In order to pay Linda back, Paulette promises to cook her chicken with peppers — a dish that was Giulio’s specialty before his demise, and thus carries the taste of trauma for mother and daughter alike.
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
Transfer skillet to oven and cook, uncovered, until chicken is cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.
—Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
This celebrated beachside restaurant at Playa de Vega does a great line in whole fish (try the virrey, a firm-fleshed local species) cooked over coals or a la plancha.
—Paul Richardson, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Apr. 2024
Butter: For richness and flavor, and to help cook the onions.
—Liv Dansky, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2024
When the bacon is almost cooked, pour off the liquid rendered fat into a separate container.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cook.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Old English cōc, from Latin coquus, from coquere to cook; akin to Old English āfigen fried, Greek pessein to cook
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of cook was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing cook
Dictionary Entries Near cook
Cite this Entry
“Cook.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cook. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
cook
1 of 2 noun
: one who prepares food for eating
cook
2 of 2 verb1
: to prepare food for eating especially by the use of heat
2
: to go through the process of being cooked
the rice is cooking now
3
a
: to think up
cook up a scheme
b
: to go on : happen
what's cooking
Biographical Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on cook
Nglish: Translation of cook for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of cook for Arabic Speakers
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