What does cull mean?
Cull is a versatile English word with two main uses: as a verb, it means to select or remove members of a group, most commonly by killing animals in order to manage their population; as a noun, it denotes either such a removal process or an animal removed as inferior. The verb also appears in more benign contexts, such as culling data, images, or candidates, where it simply means filtering out what is not wanted. Etymologically, cull derives from the Latin colligere, meaning 'to collect', which makes its modern association with killing somewhat ironic — the word began life describing careful selection rather than destruction. Today, cull carries a serious, sometimes controversial connotation in discussions of wildlife management, animal welfare, and population control, while remaining a useful neutral term in editing, computing, and research contexts. Its dual character makes it valuable for precise expression across both technical and everyday registers.
To select or remove from a group; specifically, to kill surplus or inferior animals to reduce or manage a population.
"Farmers may cull sick livestock to protect the rest of the herd."
When used of people being selected (e.g., for a team), the word retains its neutral, older sense of picking or choosing.
An act of culling; also, an animal that has been culled, typically because it is inferior or unwanted.
"The annual deer cull drew protests from animal-rights groups."
In agriculture, a 'cull' can refer to an individual animal rejected for breeding or sale due to poor quality.
Used when referring to multiple culled animals or multiple instances of culling.
"Several culls were carried out across the region last winter."
The word 'cull' comes from the same Latin root as 'collect' — originally it meant simply to pick the best, before taking on its darker sense of killing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cull
Cull entered English in the early 17th century, borrowed from the Latin colligere ('to gather together'), likely via French. Its original sense was simply 'to pick out' or 'to choose', particularly selecting the best of something. Over time the word took on a darker meaning — removing and killing animals deemed surplus or inferior — which is now among its most prominent uses. It shares its Latin root with words like collect, colleague, and collate.
Related word forms
How cull is actually used
Originally neutral — meaning 'to choose' or 'to pick out' — cull has acquired a strongly negative connotation when applied to killing animals, and is often used in debates over wildlife management. In data or editing contexts it remains relatively neutral, meaning to filter or discard unwanted items.
Easily confused with cull
Curl means to form into a spiral or coil, whereas cull means to select or remove items from a group.