Cossack

American  

[kos-ak, -uhk] / ˈkɒs æk, -ək /

noun

Cossacks plural

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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• Cossacks
  plural

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

Aussie Cossack followed up with another post on X with the likeness of a video showing the actual attacker, Cauchi, side by side with a picture of Mr Cohen.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2024

What Mr. Volkov unearths on his evening forays is usually more modest; chips of ancient pots, say, or crooked Cossack nails.

From New York Times • Aug. 4, 2023

Who had possession of the keys to the Cossack churches?

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok