cow

1. (strictly) An adult female of the species Bos taurus, especially one that has calved.Examples: "The whole herd is out to pasture right now — the cows, calves, and heifers are out back, and the bulls are down by the creek."countableuncountable

2. (loosely or informal) Any member of the species Bos taurus that is not of a bucking breed or fighting breed, regardless of sex or age, including bulls and calves.Examples: "We saw lots of cows at the farm show, including some surprisingly gigantic bulls."Synonyms: cattle beastbroadlycountableinformaluncountable

3. (uncommon, uncountable) Beef: the meat of cattle as food.Examples: "The only meat I eat is cow."uncommonuncountable

4. (uncommon) Any bovines or bovids generally, including yaks, buffalo, etc.countableuncommonuncountable

5. (biology) A female member of other large species of mammal, including the bovines, moose, whales, seals, hippos, rhinos, manatees, and elephants.countableuncountable

6. (derogatory, UK, Ireland, informal) A woman considered unpleasant in some way, particularly one considered nasty, stupid, fat, lazy, or difficult.Examples: "[…] the worst insult to a woman, either in London or Paris, is "cow"; a name which might even be a compliment, for cows are among the most likeable of animals."; "Greville Preston: You've been set up, you silly cow. Now, don't let me hear any more about this unless you have absolute stand-up-in-court proof it's kosher... Mattie Storin: Pig."; "By the time of my third, five months ago, I was a right bossy cow about what I wanted because I knew the drill. For reasons I shan’t bore you with, I got them to induce me at 39 weeks, at 10am, with the epidural going in first, and it was all a dream."Synonyms: bitch, bastardIrelandUKcountablederogatoryinformaluncountable