oxtail

noun

ox·​tail ˈäks-ˌtāl How to pronounce oxtail (audio)
: the tail of a beef animal
especially : the skinned tail used for food (as in soup)

Examples of oxtail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Drain the oxtails in a colander, rinse under cold running water, and trim off any remaining clotted blood or excess fat with kitchen shears. — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026 Highlights include jerk mac n’ cheese, oxtail ravioli, and scotch bonnet ice cream. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Twenty-three products are affected including items such as slice ribeye, beef oxtail cut, beef short ribs, goat cut and ground pork. — Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026 Products impacted by the recall include ground pork, chorizo, pork chops, pork ribs as well as beef ribs, short ribs, oxtail and cuts of goat meat. — Julia Hawkins, Idaho Statesman, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oxtail

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oxtail was in the 15th century

Rhymes for oxtail

See All Rhymes for oxtail

Browse Nearby Words

oxskin
oxtail
oxteam
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oxtail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxtail. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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