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
corded; cording; cords
corder
noun
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
Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 20 Nov. 2024
This headlamp is less packable than others, however, due to the separate battery and lamp units, along with the cord to connect them.
—Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for cord 
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Noun
Facebook photos show Reeves surrounded by family in hospital
A family member of Reeves posted multiple photos on Facebook showing the teenager lying in a hospital bed surrounded by a web of cords attached to medical equipment along with what appeared to be a breathing tube hooked up to his mouth.
—Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 20 Nov. 2024
This headlamp is less packable than others, however, due to the separate battery and lamp units, along with the cord to connect them.
—Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 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
See all Example Sentences for cord
Dictionary Entries Near cord
Cite this Entry
“Cord.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cord. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cord
1 of 2 noun1
: 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 verb1
: to supply, bind, or connect with a cord
2
: to pile up wood in cords
Medical Definition
cord
noun1
: 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
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