cog

/kɑg/

/kɒg/

Other forms: cogs; cogged; cogging

An engine needs each of its parts to work. It has gears which have wheels. Each wheel has cogs, or tiny teeth that fit together, making the wheel turn, the engine run. Every cog is essential to that engine.

People can also be cogs — they are the workers who, day in and day out, perform their duties seemingly with no end in sight. Feeling disheartened, they might say, "I'm just a cog in the system." If you hear this, remind them of the true definition of the term cog — an instrumental part of the whole.

Definitions of cog

1. noun

   tooth on the rim of gear wheel
   synonyms: sprocket

   type of:

   tooth

   something resembling the tooth of an animal
2. noun

   a subordinate who performs an important but routine function
   “he was a small cog in a large machine”

   type of:

   foot soldier, subordinate, subsidiary, underling

   an assistant subject to the authority or control of another
3. verb

   join pieces of wood with cogs
   type of:

   bring together, join

   cause to become joined or linked
4. verb

   roll steel ingots
   type of:

   roll, roll out

   flatten or spread with a heavy device shaped like a cylinder