1 cohort | Definition of cohort
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

cohort

noun
co·​hort | \ ˈkƍ-ˌhÈŻrt How to pronounce cohort (audio) \

Definition of cohort

1 : companion, colleague a few of their 
 cohorts decided to form a company— Burt Hochberg
2a : band, group a cohort of supporters
b : a group of individuals having a statistical factor (such as age or class membership) in common in a demographic study a cohort of premedical students the cohort of people born in the 1980s
c : one of 10 divisions of an ancient Roman legion
d : a group of warriors or soldiers
Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about cohort

Keep scrolling for more

Did You Know?

In ancient times, a cohort was a military unit, one of ten divisions in a Roman legion. The term passed into English via French in the 15th century, when it was used in translations and writings about Roman history. Once cohort became established in our language, its meaning was extended, first to refer to any body of troops, then to any group of individuals with something in common, and later to a single companion. Some usage commentators have objected to this last sense because it can be hard to tell whether the plural refers to different individuals or different groups. The companion sense is well established in standard use, however, and its meaning is clear enough in such sentences as her cohorts came along with her to the game.

Examples of cohort in a Sentence

The police arrested the gang's leader and his cohorts. Depression was a common problem for people in that age cohort.

Recent Examples on the Web

 All students admitted to next fall’s cohort, including transfer students, who meet the eligibility requirements will receive the award. — Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post, "A Colorado private college pledges to slash price for lower-income, in-state students," 27 Aug. 2019 The cohort deciding the future of the global economic system was all male, nearly entirely white, and only represented the upper echelons of society. — Georgia Frances King, Quartz, "Deray Mckesson talks to one of Africa’s biggest activists about reparations, equality, and reconciliation," 20 Aug. 2019 Polish is as important to politics to this year’s Whitney cohort, and that may have contributed to comments that the show is, if anything, more restrained than Biennials past. — Steven Litt, cleveland.com, "2019 Whitney Biennial filled with anxiety-ridden artworks that inspire empathy, indict the powerful," 18 Aug. 2019 That is 12% more than Americans aged 35 to 49, and a third more than those aged 18 to 34 (the youngest cohort for whom Nielsen has data). — The Economist, "America’s elderly seem more screen-obsessed than the young," 14 Aug. 2019 The Cambridge chapter was among the organization’s four original cohorts, which also included schools in Philadelphia, Hartford, and New York’s Harlem neighborhood. — Alison Kuznitz, BostonGlobe.com, "‘Run with it’: Cambridge students, given full-ride college scholarships in second-grade, prosper at reunion," 4 Aug. 2019 Andrej is also hot for his opportunistic new cohort, who, despite a girlfriend, has no problem getting busy with model-handsome Andrej as well. — Los Angeles Times, "Review: ‘Ladyworld’ with Maya Hawke,’ plus Bud doc ‘Kings of Beer,’ ‘Consequences’ and ‘Moop’," 1 Aug. 2019 The younger man, Paco (Andres Velez), brandishes a gun and orders the two women to take care of his older cohort Ignacio (Manny Perez), who's bleeding from a gunshot wound. — Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Coyote Lake': Film Review," 31 July 2019 The truth was that Quichotte had almost no friends anymore—no social group, no cohort, no posse, no real pals—having long ago abandoned the social whirl. — Salman Rushdie, The New Yorker, "The Little King," 22 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cohort.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of cohort

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2c

History and Etymology for cohort

Middle English, from Latin cohort-, cohors — more at court

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for cohort

cohort

noun
How to pronounce cohort (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of cohort

often disapproving : a friend or companion
technical : a group of people used in a study who have something (such as age or social class) in common

See the full definition for cohort in the English Language Learners Dictionary

cohort

noun
co·​hort | \ ˈkƍ-ˌhÈŻ(ə)rt How to pronounce cohort (audio) \

Medical Definition of cohort

: a group of individuals having a statistical factor (as age or risk) in common the population consisted of two cohorts: 204 clearly exposed and 163 not exposed— R. R. Suskind et al

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on cohort

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with cohort

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cohort

Spanish Central: Translation of cohort

Nglish: Translation of cohort for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of cohort for Arabic Speakers

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!