Cossack

American  

[kos-ak, -uhk] / ˈkɒs æk, -ək /

noun

1. (especially in czarist Russia) a person belonging to any of certain groups of Slavs living chiefly in the southern part of Russia in Europe and forming an elite corps of horsemen.

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Cossack British  

/ ˈkɒsæk /

noun

1. (formerly) any of the free warrior-peasants of chiefly East Slavonic descent who lived in communes, esp in Ukraine, and served as cavalry under the tsars

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Cossacks

   a Cossack dance

Etymology

Origin of Cossack

1590–1600; < Polish kozak or Ukrainian kozák, ultimately < a Turkic word taken to mean “adventurer, freebooter,” adopted as an ethnic name by Turkic tribal groups of the Eurasian steppes

Example Sentences

Before heading off to the front, Shaman, his army call sign, was manning the stand of the "Berkut Military-Sports Cossack Club" in the shopping centre.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

Then, down the broad marble staircase of Odessa marches a phalanx of Cossack soldiers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

But after helping them achieve victory, their Muscovite allies sought to dominate them, leading to another Ukrainian Cossack rebellion in 1708 that soon allied with Sweden.

From Salon • Jul. 29, 2023

In a showstopping number, Kroll and Pamela Adlon fend off a murderous Cossack neighbor and duet about the trade-offs of city vs. shtetl life.

From New York Times • Mar. 6, 2023

I turned, my gaze landing on three Cossack riders trotting past, relieved of their duties.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros