cowl

¹ American  

[koul] / kaʊl /

noun

1. a hooded garment worn by monks.

2. the hood of this garment.

3. part of a garment that is draped to resemble a cowl or hood.

4. the forward part of the body of a motor vehicle supporting the rear of the hood and the windshield and housing the pedals and instrument panel.

5. a cowling.

6. a hoodlike covering for increasing the draft of a chimney or ventilator.

7. a wire netting fastened to the top of the smokestack of a locomotive to prevent large sparks from being discharged; a spark arrester.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to cover with or as if with a cowl.

2. to put a monk's cowl on.

3. to make a monk of.

Cowl ² American  

[koul] / kaʊl /

noun

1. Jane, 1884–1950, U.S. actress and playwright.

---

cowl British  

/ kaʊl /

noun

1. a hood, esp a loose one

2. the hooded habit of a monk

3. a cover fitted to a chimney to increase ventilation and prevent draughts

4. the part of a car body that supports the windscreen and the bonnet

5. aeronautics another word for cowling

---

verb

1. to cover or provide with a cowl

2. to make a monk of

Usage

What does cowl mean? A cowl is a hood, especially a loose one. The hooded robe worn by some monks is called a cowl.Cowl is also used to refer to several objects that function as hoods, such as parts of some vehicles and the coverings at the top of chimneys. It can also be used as a verb meaning to cover something. More specifically, it can mean to make someone a monk.Example: The monk donned his cowl and left his bunk for morning prayer.

Etymology

Origin of cowl

before 1000; Middle English cou ( e ) le, Old English cugele, cūle < Late Latin cuculla monk's hood, variant of Latin cucullus hood

Example Sentences

Finding a suit and cowl made just for him, Damian transforms into Little Batman in order to safeguard Wayne Manor and Gotham City from villains, including a rather mischievous Joker.

From Salon • Dec. 24, 2025

In the corner, a cowl made of macrame, textiles and yarn adorns a mannequin.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 23, 2025

That could cause the inlet barrel to fail and damage a piece of housing called the inlet cowl.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 8, 2023

“We kind of looked at it as having a superhero donning his cape and cowl, but what’s behind that?”

From New York Times • Aug. 4, 2023

They wore their robes of black and white, but as they took their seats each man pulled his cowl down to show the face he had chosen to wear that day.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin