Holstein

American  

[hohl-stahyn, -steen, hohl-shtahyn] / ˈhoʊl staɪn, -stin, ˈhoʊlˌʃtaɪn /

noun

1. Also called Holstein-Friesian.  one of a breed of black-and-white dairy cattle, raised originally in North Holland and Friesland, that yields large quantities of milk having a low content of butterfat.

2. a region in N Germany, at the base of the peninsula of Jutland: a former duchy.

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Holstein ¹ British  

/ ˈhəʊlstaɪn /

noun

1. the usual US and Canadian name for Friesian 1

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Holstein ² British  

/ ˈhɔlʃtain /

noun

1. a region of N Germany, in S Schleswig-Holstein: in early times a German duchy of Saxony; became a duchy of Denmark in 1474; finally incorporated into Prussia in 1866

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Etymology

Origin of Holstein

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Qatar could draw on its experience of airlifting 4,000 Holstein dairy cows during a 2017 trade blockade.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

Elsewhere, Hertha Berlin beat Elversberg 3-0 in the German capital, Hamburg won 1-0 at Heidenheim and second-division Holstein Kiel beat hosts Wolfsburg 1-0.

From Barron's • Oct. 28, 2025

The team employed a 24-hour setup of seven cameras recording a herd of Swedish Holstein and Swedish Red cows.

From Science Daily • Nov. 20, 2024

“Welcome to Pixar,” says “Inside Out 2” co-writer Dave Holstein, to laughter from Mann and co-writer Meg LeFauve, over a video chat.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 19, 2024

I picked out a fabric that looked like a black-and-white Holstein cow and a red bandanna print for the pocket and straps.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry