cox: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Specialized/Sports
Quick answer
What does “cox” mean?
A person who steers and directs the crew in a rowing boat or racing shell.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who steers and directs the crew in a rowing boat or racing shell.
To act as the coxswain (steering and commanding) of a rowing boat; also used as a surname and in some historical/nautical contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly used in British English due to stronger rowing tradition at universities. In American English, 'coxswain' is often used interchangeably, though 'cox' is still standard in rowing circles.
Connotations
In both varieties, strongly associated with university sports (especially Oxbridge and Ivy League) and competitive rowing.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English; in US English, the full term 'coxswain' may be slightly more common in general usage, though 'cox' dominates in actual rowing contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cox” in a Sentence
[NP] cox [NP crew/boat][NP] is coxed by [NP][NP] serves as cox for [NP]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cox” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She will cox the Cambridge boat in the Boat Race.
- He coxed the winning eight at Henley.
American English
- She was chosen to cox the varsity eight this season.
- He coxed the lightweight four to a national championship.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in sports science, history of sports, or biographical contexts.
Everyday
Rare outside rowing communities or regions with strong rowing culture.
Technical
Specific to rowing terminology; precise role involving steering, race strategy, and motivating crew.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cox”
- Using 'cox' as a general term for any boat captain (it's specific to rowing).
- Misspelling as 'cocks'.
- Pronouncing the 'o' as in 'box' (should be /ɒ/ or /ɑː/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it's a shortening of 'coxswain', which originally meant the servant ('swain') in charge of the captain's small boat ('cockboat').
Yes, 'to cox' means to act as the coxswain of a rowing boat.
Historically, yes. 'Cockboat' was a small ship's boat, and the 'cockswain' (later coxswain) was its officer. The modern term has lost the 'k'.
Very rarely. It's almost exclusively a rowing term, though it survives as a surname and in some historical nautical contexts.
A person who steers and directs the crew in a rowing boat or racing shell.
Cox is usually specialized/sports in register.
Cox: in British English it is pronounced /kɒks/, and in American English it is pronounced /kɑːks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To cox a winning boat”
- “Cox's apple (rare, historical variant of Adam's apple)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'COX' = 'Commands and steers the boX' (the boat).
Conceptual Metaphor
GUIDANCE/LEADERSHIP (the cox guides the physical power of others toward a goal).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary role of a cox?