cord

1 of 2

noun

ˈkȯrd 

1

a

: a long slender flexible material usually consisting of several strands (as of thread or yarn) woven or twisted together

b

: the hangman's rope

2

: a moral, spiritual, or emotional bond

3

a

: an anatomical structure (such as a nerve or tendon) resembling a cord

especially : umbilical cord sense 1a

b

: a small flexible insulated electrical cable having a plug at one or both ends used to connect a lamp or other appliance with a receptacle

4

: a unit of wood cut for fuel equal to a stack 4 x 4 x 8 feet or 128 cubic feet

5

a

: a rib like a cord on a textile

b(1)

: a fabric made with such ribs or a garment made of such a fabric

(2)

cords plural : trousers made of such a fabric

cord

2 of 2

verb

corded; cording; cords

transitive verb

1

: to furnish, bind, or connect with a cord

2

: to pile up (wood) in cords

corder noun

Synonyms

Noun

• cable
• lace
• lacing
• line
• rope
• string
• wire

Examples of cord in a Sentence

Noun

She wore the key on a cord around her neck.

They used cords to tie the tent to the trees.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Thus far, media companies have opted to keep their cable networks, which still pump out billions in profit even as millions of Americans cut the cord each year. —Alex Sherman, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024

The fuchsia and purple bundles of cords that comprise Naturaleza mora (1979) are paired with layered swatches of purple and orange fabric in Encalado en laca azul (1976). —Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 25 Oct. 2024

Verb

Just keep in mind that it’s corded, which has some pros and cons. —Sandi Schwartz, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2024

Lively sported a moss corded lace halter dress from Michael Kors’ spring 2025 collection, which debuted in September during New York Fashion Week. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 20 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English cord, corde, borrowed from Anglo-French corde "string, rope," going back to Latin chorda, corda "tripe, string of a musical instrument," borrowed from Greek khordḗ "catgut, string of a musical instrument, sausage," in plural "guts, tripe" — more at yarn entry 1

Verb

Middle English corden "to string a bow," in part derivative of cord, corde cord entry 1, in part borrowed from Anglo-French corder "to tie with a cord"

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cord

• Bedford cord
• bungee cord
• cord cutter
• cord cutting
• extension cord
• face cord
• nerve cord
• patch cord
• rip cord
• silver cord
• spermatic cord
• spinal cord
• umbilical cord

Kids Definition

cord

1 of 2 noun

ˈkȯ(ə)rd 

1

: material like a small thin rope that is used mostly for tying things

2

: a bodily structure (as a tendon or nerve) resembling a cord

especially : umbilical cord

3

: a small flexible insulated electrical cable with a plug at one or both ends used for connecting an appliance to an outlet

4

: an amount of firewood equal to a pile of wood 4 × 4 × 8 feet or 128 cubic feet (about 3.6 cubic meters)

5

a

: a rib like a cord on a fabric

b

: a fabric with such ribs

cord

2 of 2 verb

1

: to supply, bind, or connect with a cord

2

: to pile up wood in cords

Medical Definition

cord

noun

ˈkȯ(ə)rd 

1

: a long slender flexible material usually consisting of several strands (as of thread or yarn) woven or twisted together

2

: a slender flexible anatomical structure (as a nerve) see spermatic cord, spinal cord, umbilical cord, vocal cord sense 1