Cossack

noun

Cos·​sack ˈkä-ˌsak How to pronounce Cossack (audio)
-sək
1
: a member of any of a number of autonomous communities drawn from various ethnic and linguistic groups (such as Slavs, Tatars, and Circassians) that formed in Ukraine, southern Russia, the Caucasus Mountains, and Siberia after about 1400 and that were completely incorporated into czarist Russia during the 18th and 19th centuries
2
: a mounted soldier serving in a unit drafted from Cossack communities

Examples of Cossack in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But marital discord wasn’t on offer in the footage shared at CinemaCon, which focused on a snowy conflict between the French and an opposing army (possibly the Cossacks?), who are lured into a trap with bloody consequences. Brent Lang, Variety, 25 Apr. 2023 The movie begins with the Mousekewitzes and the Moskowitzes celebrating Hanukkah when Cossacks tear through Shostka in an antisemitic pogrom, together with their animal counterparts — a battery of evil cats. Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Cossack.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Polish & Ukrainian kozak, of Turkic origin; akin to Volga Tatar kazak free person

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Cossack was in 1589

Dictionary Entries Near Cossack

Cite this Entry

“Cossack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Cossack. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Cossack

noun
Cos·​sack ˈkäs-ˌak How to pronounce Cossack (audio)
-ək
1
: a member of any of the groups that formed in Ukraine, southern Russia, the Caucasus, and Siberia after 1400 and were included in czarist Russia during the 18th and 19th centuries
2
: a mounted soldier serving in a unit drafted from Cossack communities

More from Merriam-Webster on Cossack

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