corral

[kuh-ral]

noun

1. an enclosure or pen for horses, cattle, etc.

2. a circular enclosure formed by wagons during an encampment, as by covered wagons crossing the North American plains in the 19th century, for defense against attack.

verb (used with object)

corralled, corralling 

1. to confine in or as if in a corral.

2. Informal.

   1. to seize; capture.

   2. to collect, gather, or garner.

      to corral votes.

3. to form (wagons) into a corral.

corral

/ kɒˈrɑːl /

noun

1. an enclosure for confining cattle or horses

2. (formerly) a defensive enclosure formed by a ring of covered wagons

verb

1. to drive into and confine in or as in a corral

2. informal,  to capture

Word History and Origins

Origin of corral¹

1575–85; < Spanish < Late Latin *currāle enclosure for carts, equivalent to Latin curr ( us ) wagon, cart (derivative of currere to run) + -āle, neuter of -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of corral¹

C16: from Spanish, from Vulgar Latin currāle (unattested) area for vehicles, from Latin currus wagon, from currere to run

Example Sentences

In Italian nappa leather, this petite clutch can corral her euro coins—and store international currency between trips.

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“ENOUGH SQUABBLING, IF YOU PLEASE! Let us return to our studies,” Penelope said firmly, once she had placed the Planet Spud on a high shelf and corralled the three children back to their seats.

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Before long she had corralled her two brothers into an energetic game of tygers, complete with snarls and pretend biting.

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He was behind the barn, just as the boys had said he would be, supervising the construction of a large, high-walled corral made of wooden posts and slats interwoven with lengths of twisted wire.

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“That is an excellent question,” Penelope said, quickly corralling the children.

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