coxswain

Sometimes cock·swain

[kok-suhn]

noun

1. a person who steers a racing shell.

2. a person who is in charge of a ship's boat and its crew, under an officer, and who steers it.

coxswain

/ -ˌsweɪn, ˈkɒksən /

noun

1. Also called: cockswain. the helmsman of a lifeboat, racing shell, etc

Pronunciation Note

The spelling pronunciation is almost never used.

Word History and Origins

Origin of coxswain¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English cokeswayne; cockboat, swain

Word History and Origins

Origin of coxswain¹

C15: from cock a ship's boat + _swain

Example Sentences

He likened Ambriz’s job to that of a coxswain in crew, getting multiple participants, with their own “fiefdoms and lease lines,” rowing in the same direction.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

George as a director, you are like a coach or coxswain.

Read more on Salon

While the book’s release in 2013 brought a lot of attention to the program, women’s coxswain Grace Murdock thinks the movie will take things to another level.

Read more on Seattle Times

Daniel Hurd, lifeboat coxswain said: "Stay away - it's just too dangerous."

Read more on BBC

It's a year that has pushed coxswain Kennedy - a Paralympic champion in the mixed coxed four - harder than any race.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• accompany 
• advise 
• educate 
• escort 
• govern 
• handle 
• influence 
• instruct 
• manage 
• maneuver 
• navigate 
• oversee 
• regulate 
• see 
• shepherd 
• steer 
• supervise 
• sway 
• teach 
• train