What does bowstring mean?
A bowstring is the cord stretched between the two ends of a bow, which the archer draws back and releases to propel an arrow. It is the working heart of the weapon: traditionally made from linen, silk, sinew, or animal gut, and today usually from synthetic materials such as Dacron or Fast Flight. Beyond archery, 'bowstring' appears in several established compound uses: a bowstring truss in engineering is a roof support whose curved top chord resembles a drawn bow, and bowstring hemp is a common name for certain snake plants whose stiff fibres were once used to make cords. The word carries connotations of tension, precision, and readiness — phrases like 'drawn bowstring' evoke suspense or coiled energy in literature. For learners, it is a straightforward compound noun, but its figurative resonance makes it a vivid choice in descriptive writing.
nounThe string of a bow, used to propel an arrow; also a cord resembling such a string.
- The cord of a bow, stretched between its ends, which is drawn back to launch an arrow.
- A cord or structure resembling a bowstring, as in architecture (a bowstring truss) or botany (bowstring hemp).
"The archer drew the bowstring back to her cheek before releasing the arrow."
"He carefully waxed the bowstring to protect it from fraying in damp weather."
"The roof was supported by elegant bowstring trusses that arched across the hall."
Regular plural. Used when referring to multiple bows' strings or to the compound products collectively.
"The workshop supplied bowstrings to archers across the county."
In medieval warfare, a snapped bowstring could cost an archer his life — spare strings were worn coiled around hats and belts for instant replacement.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bowstring
Bowstring is a transparent English compound formed from 'bow' (Old English 'boga') and 'string' (Old English 'streng'), attested from the Old English period onward. Its cognates include other '-string' compounds such as 'hamstring' and 'offspring' (the latter by analogy). No foreign borrowing is involved.
How bowstring is actually used
Mostly literal/archery register but common in architecture ('bowstring truss') and horticulture ('bowstring hemp', Sansevieria). Compound compounds are transparent and widely understood.
Easily confused with bowstring
Rarely, 'bowstring' can be a verb meaning to strangle with a bowstring, but the noun sense — the string of a bow — is overwhelmingly dominant.
A hamstring is a tendon at the back of the knee, whereas a bowstring is the cord of a bow.