heifer

American  

[hef-er] / ˈhɛf ər /

noun

1. a young cow over one year old that has not produced a calf.

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heifer British  

/ ˈhɛfə /

noun

1. a young cow

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Etymology

Origin of heifer

First recorded before 900; Middle English hayfre, heighfer, Old English hēa(h)f(o)re; of uncertain origin; perhaps equivalent to hēah “high” + -fore (perhaps akin to Greek póris “heifer”); high ( def. )

Example Sentences

His brother, David Workman, killed in a fall off a cliff as he rode a mule in the dark in search of a lost heifer.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2024

"You can isolate the cow or the heifer on the farm away from the main herd," Mr Kurtz continued.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2023

Female heifer cows who haven’t birthed new calves are part of that culling, USA Today reports, meaning that there will be fewer beef cows available for slaughter in the next year or so.

From Washington Times • Dec. 7, 2022

Back home, he rose before the sun that Saturday to help his daughter load a 1,000-pound heifer named Iris into a cattle trailer.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 2, 2022

The heifer was scrambling to her feet in a cloud of dust and looking like she didn’t know any more about what had happened than I did.

From "Old Yeller" by Fred Gipson