cowbell

American  

[kou-bel] / ˈkaʊˌbɛl /

noun

• cowbells
  plural

1. a bell hung around a cow's neck to indicate its whereabouts.

2. the bladder campion.

---

cowbell British  

/ ˈkaʊˌbɛl /

noun

1. a bell hung around a cow's neck so that the cow can be easily located

2. a metal percussion instrument usually mounted on the bass drum or hand-held and struck with a drumstick

3. another name for bladder campion

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• cowbells
  plural

Etymology

Origin of cowbell

First recorded in 1805–15; cow ¹ + bell ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cowbell cowbells

But much of the nation is sick of the cowbell, crying out for some economic harmony.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 29, 2026

"The most important thing isn't to win but to take part," she insisted, hoisting the victory cowbell aloft and giving it a ring.

From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2025

The Lakers don’t want any piece of this irritating cowbell of a team in the playoffs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 11, 2024

That is really what Aarwangen's cowbell row is about.

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2023

He was starting on the second when the cowbell rang.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

Von Allmen, however, was a picture of celebration after his storming run, the large number of baying Swiss fans in the packed tribune wildly applauding their hero, flags waved, cowbells heaved and air horns blown.

From Barron's ● Feb. 11, 2026

They showed up with cowbells, confetti, live music—and sometimes beer and caviar?!

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2025

The pastures replete with cowbells weren’t so much scenic as earthy, the real thing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2025

"We have loads of that in our stuff... even the little percussion things that they have, like cowbells and stuff. I think it's amazing."

From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2025

Patchface danced closer, his cowbells ringing, clang-a-lang, ding-ding, clink-clank-clink-clahk.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin