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

For her first look of the day, Keke Palmer attended the Brandon Maxwell show in a blush pink silk matching ankle-length skirt and cowl neck top. —Mecca Pryor, Essence, 7 Feb. 2025

These include radiator guards, heat guards for the exhaust, the rear cowl capping the end of the seat, and the front fender. —New Atlas, 30 Dec. 2024

Verb

From a distance, most of the engine’s cowling and exhaust nozzle appeared intact. —Karina Tsui, CNN, 4 Feb. 2025

This bike's fairing is less angular, and the cowling doesn't flow as naturally into the rest of the bodywork, but the signature round headlight is there, and thankfully Enfield eschews the beak that seems to have been requisite on adventure bikes for so many years. —New Atlas, 13 Jan. 2025

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