cord

Pronunciation: /kɔːd/

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Definition of cord

noun

1 [mass noun] thin, flexible string or rope made from several twisted strands:her feet were tied with cord
[count noun] a length of cord:a dressing-gown cord
[count noun] an anatomical structure resembling a length of cord (e.g. the spinal cord, the umbilical cord): the baby was still attached to its mother by the cord
[count noun] an electric flex: she began toying with the telephone cord

2 [mass noun] ribbed fabric, especially corduroy: the cloth for their suits was cord [as modifier]:cord jackets
(cords) corduroy trousers:he was dressed in faded black cords
a cord-like rib on fabric.

3a measure of cut wood (usually 128 cu. ft, 3.62 cubic metres).

verb

[with object]

attach a cord to: (as adjective corded)a corded curtain track you will need to cord the blind

Phrases

cut the (umbilical) cord: cease to rely on someone or something protective or supportive and begin to act independently: the true innovators of hard rock, like Jimi Hendrix, finally cut the umbilical cord to traditional rock ‘n’ roll

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French corde, from Latin chorda, from Greek khordē 'gut, string of a musical instrument'

See chord² (usage)

Do not confuse chord with cord. Chord means 'a group of musical notes' (a G major chord), whereas cord means 'thin string or rope' or 'a part of the body like a string or rope' (the spinal cord).

cord in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of cord in the US English dictionary

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Other

cord

noun

verb

Phrases

cut the (umbilical) cord

Origin:

cord in other Oxford dictionaries

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