1. The person in charge of a boat or ship, responsible for its operation and crew; the coxswain of a racing crew.
Usage: nautical; often abbreviated as 'cox' in rowing contexts

Examples

• The cockswain steered the boat through the narrow channel.
• In competitive rowing, the cockswain calls out the pace for the rowers.
• The experienced cockswain knew every hazard along the river.
• The cockswain barked orders to keep the crew in rhythm.
• She served as cockswain for the university's varsity eight.