Cogs Meaning in English
word · lemma: cog
Definition
'Cogs' are the teeth or small parts on the edge of a gear that help it turn. Metaphorically, it can mean people who are part of a larger system but not important by themselves.
Usage & Nuances
'Cogs' is plural; use for machinery parts or metaphorically for 'small roles in a big organization' ('just cogs in the machine'). In technology, refers mainly to gear teeth, not the entire gear. The metaphor is common in business or organizational contexts.
Example Sentences
The clock stopped working because the cogs were rusty.
basic
The old machine has many large and small cogs.
basic
All the cogs must fit together for the engine to run smoothly.
basic
We're just cogs in a big company—nobody notices us.
natural
Sometimes it feels like the cogs in my brain aren't turning!
natural
When the project started, the team worked together like perfect cogs.
natural