Corral

Part of Speech

Noun, Verb

Pronunciation

kə-ˈral

Definitions

1. (Noun) An enclosure for confining livestock, typically made of fencing.
2. (Verb) To gather or confine (animals or people) into a restricted area.
3. (Verb) To capture, collect, or gather something in an organized manner.

Usage Examples

• The rancher built a large corral to keep the horses safe.
• The police managed to corral the protesters into a designated area.
• She quickly corralled all the scattered papers before the wind blew them away.

Etymology

From Spanish "corral," meaning "pen" or "enclosure," derived from Latin "currale," meaning "enclosure for vehicles."

Synonyms

• (Noun) Pen
• (Noun) Enclosure
• (Verb) Gather
• (Verb) Contain

Antonyms

• (Noun) Open range
• (Verb) Release
• (Verb) Scatter

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• British English: kə-ˈræl
• American English: kə-ˈral

Historical Usage

The word "corral" has been used since the 16th century, particularly in the American West and Spanish-speaking regions, where it referred to enclosures for livestock.

Cultural Nuances

In Western culture, the term "corral" is closely associated with ranching and cowboy life. It is also used metaphorically in various fields to describe gathering or containing something efficiently.

More Information

The term "corral" remains widely used in agricultural and equestrian contexts, referring to enclosures for livestock. Additionally, it is often used metaphorically in business, law enforcement, and social settings to describe the act of bringing together or containing people, objects, or ideas. The word has retained its original Spanish influence, and variations exist in many languages that describe fenced enclosures for animals.