What does "hereford" mean?
A cow of the Hereford breed.
Hereford
/ˈhɝfɚd/ name, noun
name, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A cow of the Hereford breed.
- Grammar: hereford is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: breed-related, cattle, cattle-related, hereford bovine.
- Useful contrasts: Angus cattle, non Hereford, non Hereford cattle.
- Usage evidence: A boy having sold a cow at the fair at Hereford, was way-laid by a highwayman, who at a convenient place demanded the money; on this the boy took to his heels and ran away but being overtaken by the highwayman, who dismounted, he pulled the money out of his pocket and strewed it about, and while the highwayman was picking it up, the boy jumped upon the horse and rode home.
How to use "hereford"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "hereford" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "hereford" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "hereford" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "hereford" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "hereford" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "breed-related" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "hereford", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A cow of the Hereford breed.
- 2 hardy English breed of cattle raised extensively in United States wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A city and civil parish (with a city council) in and the county town of Herefordshire, England (OS grid ref SO5140). countable, uncountable
- 2 A number of places in the United States:; A locality in Cochise County, Arizona, named after Frank Hereford. countable, uncountable
- 3 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Weld County, Colorado. countable, uncountable
- 4 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Baltimore County, Maryland. countable, uncountable
- 5 A number of places in the United States:; An extinct town in Grant County, Minnesota, named for Hereford cattle. countable, uncountable
Show 8 more definitions
- 6 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Callaway County, Missouri. countable, uncountable
- 7 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Baker County, Oregon, supposedly named for a Hereford bull. countable, uncountable
- 8 A number of places in the United States:; A township and census-designated place therein, in Berks County, Pennsylvania. countable, uncountable
- 9 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Meade County, South Dakota, named for Hereford cattle. countable, uncountable
- 10 A number of places in the United States:; A city, the county seat of Deaf Smith County, Texas, United States, named for Hereford cattle raised there. countable, uncountable
- 11 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Jackson County, West Virginia. countable, uncountable
- 12 A breed of cattle used for high-quality beef, see Hereford (cattle). countable, uncountable
- 13 A surname. countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"A boy having sold a cow at the fair at Hereford, was way-laid by a highwayman, who at a convenient place demanded the money; on this the boy took to his heels and ran away but being overtaken by the highwayman, who dismounted, he pulled the money out of his pocket and strewed it about, and while the highwayman was picking it up, the boy jumped upon the horse and rode home."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "hereford"?
Common synonyms include: breed-related, cattle, cattle-related, hereford bovine, hereford breed, hereford cattle.
How do you use "hereford" in a sentence?
A boy having sold a cow at the fair at Hereford, was way-laid by a highwayman, who at a convenient place demanded the money; on this the boy took to his heels and ran away but being overtaken by the highwayman, who dismounted, he pulled the money out of his pocket and strewed it about, and while the highwayman was picking it up, the boy jumped upon the horse and rode home.
How do you pronounce "hereford"?
Pronounced /ˈhɝfɚd/.
Etymology
From Middle English Hereford, from Old English Hereford, from Old English here (“army”) + ford (“ford”). Compare Herford, North Rhine-Westphalia.