cox
n. countable C2 Proficiency US //ˈkɑks// UK //kˈɒks// cox
n. the person in a racing boat who sits at the back and steers. They also shout instructions to the rowers to help them keep the same rhythm.
n. the person who steers a racing shell and directs the rowing crew. Often used as a shortened form of 'coxswain'.
The cox shouted at the crew to row harder.
Because the cox does not row, they are usually the smallest and lightest person in the boat to keep the weight down.
A skilled cox must balance technical steering with psychological motivation, ensuring the rowers maintain their stroke rate even when physical exhaustion begins to set in during the final sprint.
The surname has converged from several different origins; see Cox.
Usage
Often used as a verb ('to cox') meaning to act as a coxswain for a team.