Mooing: meaning, definitions and examples

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mooing

 

[ˈmuːɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

animal sound

Mooing is the characteristic sound made by cows. It is typically produced when cows communicate with each other, express distress, or signal hunger. The sound can vary in intensity and pitch depending on the cow's mood and situation. In farming contexts, mooing can also indicate a cow's presence or alertness to its environment.

Synonyms

bellowing, lowing.

Examples of usage

  • The cow was mooing loudly in the field.
  • I could hear mooing when I approached the barn.
  • The mother cow mooed when she couldn't find her calf.

Interesting Facts

Animal Communication

  • Cows moo for various reasons, such as to call their calves, express hunger, or alert other cows.
  • Each cow has a unique moo, much like how people have different voices, helping them communicate effectively among their herd.

Cultural Significance

  • In many cultures, the sound associated with cows has become a symbol of pastoral life and farming.
  • Children's books and cartoons often use the sound 'moo' for cows, helping spark an early interest in animals.

Sound Characteristics

  • Mooing can vary in pitch and length, indicating a cow's emotional state or specific need.
  • Young calves have a higher-pitched moo compared to adult cows, reflecting their smaller size and energy level.

Behavioral Studies

  • Research shows that cows are social animals and their vocalizations can reflect their social dynamics within the herd.
  • Observations indicate that mooing may also serve to strengthen bonds between mothers and their calves.

Linguistic Aspects

  • The term 'moo' is an example of onomatopoeia, where a word resembles the sound it describes.
  • Different languages have their own words for the sound cows make; for instance, in Spanish, it’s 'mu' and in Japanese, it's 'mooo'.

Translations

Translations of the word "mooing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mugindo

🇮🇳 गाय का रंभाना

🇩🇪 muhen

🇮🇩 mengembik

🇺🇦 мукання

🇵🇱 muczenie

🇯🇵 鳴き声

🇫🇷 meugler

🇪🇸 mugido

🇹🇷 möğürdetme

🇰🇷 음메

🇸🇦 خوار

🇨🇿 bučení

🇸🇰 múkanie

🇨🇳 哞叫

🇸🇮 muhanje

🇮🇸 kúmú

🇰🇿 мүйізді малдың дауысы

🇬🇪 ბაზის ქორფა

🇦🇿 müqayisə

🇲🇽 mugido

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,024, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.