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cowal

Cowal is an Australian term of Aboriginal origin for a billabong or stagnant pool — a body of still water separated from a flowing river, typically oxbow-shaped and often seasonal.

ˈkaʊəl158 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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Australia
#1·Apr 28, 2026AUS

Cowal is an Australian term of Aboriginal origin for a billabong or stagnant pool — a body of still water separated from a flowing river, typically oxbow-shaped and often seasonal. The word is used in parts of inland Australia, particularly in New South Wales and Queensland, where billabongs and water-filled depressions are important landmarks in the landscape. The term reflects the deep integration of Aboriginal Australian language into the vocabulary of inland Australia.

The cattle gathered at the cowal in the afternoon heat, the only reliable water source for miles around.
Origin: From an Australian Aboriginal language; the term for a stagnant pool or billabong; absorbed into Australian English for inland water features. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
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Australia
#2·Apr 27, 2026AUS

(AU) A billabong, or stagnant pool.

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